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Home > Features of your vehicle > Tailgate > Opening/closing the power tailgate

Opening/closing the power tailgate (if equipped)

Operation

  • Power tailgate open/close button - smart key (1)/inside the vehicle (2)

    When the tailgate is closed, press and hold the power tailgate open/close button. The tailgate will open automatically and the warning chime will sound. Press the tailgate open/close button again to stop the operation.

    When the tailgate is opened, press and hold the power tailgate open/close button. The tailgate will close automatically and the warning chime will sound. Press the power tailgate open/close button until the tailgate is closed completely. If the tailgate open/close button is not pressed while closing, power tailgate will stop operate and warning chime will sound for approximately 5 seconds.

  • Power tailgate open button - outside the vehicle (3)

    When the smart key is detected, press the power tailgate open button. The tailgate will open and the warning chime will sound. If the doors are unlocked, the tailgate can be opened or closed without the smart key.

  • Power tailgate close button - inside the vehicle (4)

    Press the power tailgate close button. The tailgate will close and the warning chime will sound.

Operating condition(s)

  • The vehicle is in the ON position and the vehicle gear is in P (Park).

  • The vehicle is in OFF position.

  • Smart key is carried.

Non-operating condition(s)

  • Vehicle speed is above 3 km/h (2 mph).

NOTICE

Only the power tailgate opening will not operate if the vehicle speed is above 3 km/h (2 mph).

Power tailgate automatic reversal

The power tailgate will open again automatically if the power tailgate is blocked by an object or a part of the body.

If the resistance is detected while opening and closing the tailgate, it will stop and move in the opposite direction.

WARNING

  • Make sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and set the parking brake.

  • Occupants should never ride in the rear cargo area where no restraints are available. To avoid injury in the event of an accident or sudden stops, occupants should always be properly restrained.

  • The tailgate swings upward. Make sure no objects or people are near the rear of the vehicle when opening the tailgate.

  • Make sure your hands, feet and other parts of your body are safely out of the way before closing the tailgate.

  • Never leave children or animals unattended in your vehicle. Children or animals might operate the power tailgate that could result in injury to themselves or others, or damage the vehicle.

  • Make sure there are no people or objects around the tailgate before opening or closing the power tailgate. Wait until the tailgate is open fully and stopped before loading or unloading cargo from the vehicle.

  • Make sure that there are no people or objects in the path of the power tailgate (or smart tailgate) prior to use. Serious injury, damage to the vehicle or damage to surrounding objects may result if contact with the power tailgate (or smart tailgate) occurs.

    • A: 70 cm

    • B: 70 cm

  • The chime will sound continuously if you drive over 3 km/h (2 mph) with the tailgate opened. Stop your vehicle immediately at a safe place and check if your tailgate is opened.

  • Never intentionally place any object or part of your body in the path of the power tailgate to make sure the automatic reversal operates.

  • Never operate power tailgate attached with any heavy objects (ex. bicycles). It could damage the power tailgate.

CAUTION

  • Make certain that you close the tailgate before driving your vehicle. Possible damage may occur to the tailgate gas lifters and attached hardware if the tailgate is not closed prior to driving.

  • Make sure nothing is near the tailgate latch and striker while closing the tailgate. It may damage the tailgate's latch.

  • Be careful when opening and closing the tailgate or inserting and removing objects, as body or objects may be injured or damaged if they are hit by sharp edges, such as corners. Children may get hurt if their face, head, etc. hit the area around the tailgate, so always be aware.

  • Do not close or open the power tailgate manually. This may cause damage to the power tailgate. If it is necessary to close or open the power tailgate manually when the battery is discharged or disconnected, do not apply excessive force.

  • Do not operate the power tailgate more than 5 times continuously. It may damage the power tailgate system. If the spindle is strained due to continuous operation, the chime will sound 3 times and the power tailgate will not operate. At this time, stop operating the tailgate and leave it for more than 1 minute.

NOTICE

  • Do not put heavy stuffs on the power tailgate when you operate the power tailgate. Additional weight on tailgate could cause damages to the system.

  • If The vehicle is in the ON position, the power tailgate can operate when P (Park) gear position is selected.

  • The power tailgate can be operated when the vehicle is not running. However the power tailgate operation consumes large amounts of vehicle electric power. To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not operate it excessively e.g. more than approximately 10 times repeatedly.

  • To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the power tailgate in the open position for a long time.

  • Do not modify or repair any part of the power tailgate by yourself. Kia recommends visiting an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.

  • When jacking up the vehicle to change a tire or repair the vehicle, do not operate the power tailgate. This could cause the power tailgate to operate improperly.

  • In cold and wet climates, the power tailgate may not work properly due to freezing conditions.

  • In cold and wet climates, door lock and door mechanisms may not work properly due to freezing conditions.

  • Power tailgate may stop operating when more than one operation is detected while opening/closing. In this case, open/close the tailgate manually and operate the power tailgate function.

Setting power tailgate

Operation

  • Select Settings → Vehicle → Door → Power tailgate on infotainment system.

Adjusting power tailgate speed

Operation

  • Select Settings → Vehicle → Door → Power tailgate opening speed → Normal/Fast on the infotainment system.

  • The initial setting is set to Fast.

Adjusting power tailgate opening height

Operation

  • Select Settings → Vehicle → Door → Power tailgate opening height → Level 1/Level 2/Level 3/Full open/User height setting on infotainment system.

Adjusting User Height Setting

Operation

  1. Adjust the tailgate to the preferred height.

  2. Press the power tailgate close button for approximately 3 seconds until the alarm is heard.

NOTICE

  • If the tailgate opening height is adjusted manually, the settings for the infotainment system will change to User height setting.

  • The tailgate opening height will be same as Full open before User height setting is set.

  • If User height setting is selected after Full open/Level 3/Level 2/Level 1, the previous user height setting will be set.

Resetting the power tailgate

Operation

  1. Turn the vehicle OFF or shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral).

  2. Press the power tailgate open button to open the power tailgate.

  3. Press and hold the inside tailgate close button first and outside tailgate open button simultaneously for more than 3 seconds and the chime will sound.

  4. Close the tailgate manually.

  5. Press the power tailgate open button on the outside of the vehicle.

  6. The tailgate will open and the chime will sound.

  7. If the tailgate is stopped before it is fully open, resetting will not proceed. Wait until the tailgate is open fully and stopped.

Operating condition(s)

  • Vehicle is in P (Park) position.

NOTICE

  • If the power tailgate does not operate normally, check again if the gear is in the correct position.

  • The power tailgate needs to be reset in following conditions:

    • The battery (12V) is recharged

    • The battery (12V) is reassembled

    • Related fuse is reassembled

Opening the smart tailgate (if equipped)

Operation

  • Select Settings → Vehicle → Door → Smart tailgate on the infotainment system.

Operating condition(s)

  • After 15 seconds when all doors are closed and locked.

  • Positioned in the detecting area for more than 3 seconds.

  • Disconnecting the charging connector

Non-operating condition(s)

  • The Smart Key is detected less than 15 seconds after the doors are closed and locked and is continuously detected.

  • The Smart Key is detected less than 15 seconds after the doors are closed and locked and 1.5 m from the front door handles (for vehicles equipped with Welcome Light).

  • A door is not locked or closed.

  • The smart key is in the vehicle.

  • The vehicle is on charge

Limitation(s)

  • Smart key is not detected within 50~100 cm (28~40 inches) radius behind the vehicle

Detect and Alert

Operation

  • The hazard warning lights will flash.

  • The alarm will sound when the smart key is detected.

Automatic opening

Operation

  • The tailgate will open.

  • The hazard warning lights will flash.

  • The alarm will sound 6 times.

Deactivating smart tailgate with smart key

Operation

  • Press any of the following smart key buttons during "Detect and Alert" stage to deactivate the function.

    • Door lock button

    • Door unlock button

    • Tailgate open/close button

NOTICE

  • If you press the door unlock button, the Smart Tailgate with Auto Open function will be deactivated temporarily. But, if you do not open any door for 30 seconds, the Smart Tailgate with Auto Open function will be activated again.

  • If you press the tailgate open button for more than 1 second, the tailgate opens.

  • If you press the door lock button or tailgate open button when the Smart Tailgate with Auto Open function is not in the Detect and Alert stage, the Smart Tailgate with Auto Open function will not be deactivated.

  • In case you have deactivated the Smart Tailgate with Auto Open function by pressing the smart key button and opened a door, the Smart Tailgate with Auto Open function can be activated again by closing and locking all doors.

Non-operating condition(s)

  • The smart key is close to a radio transmitter such as a radio station or an airport, which can interfere with the normal operation of the smart key.

  • The Smart Key is near a mobile two-way radio system or a cell phone.

  • Another vehicle's smart key is being operated close to your vehicle.

  • The detecting range may decrease or increase when:

    • One side of the vehicle is raised to replace a tire or to inspect the vehicle.

    • The vehicle is parked at a slant on a slope, an unpaved road, etc.

WARNING

  • Make sure you close the tailgate before driving your vehicle.

  • Make sure there are no people or objects around the tailgate before opening or closing the tailgate.

  • Make sure objects in the tailgate do not come out when opening the tailgate on a slope. It may cause serious injury.

  • Make sure to deactivate the Smart Tailgate with Auto Open when washing your vehicle. Otherwise, the tailgate may open inadvertently.

  • The key should be kept out of reach of children. Children may inadvertently open the Smart Tailgate with Auto Open while playing around the rear area of the vehicle.

CAUTION

Do not approach the detecting area if you do not want the tailgate to open. If you have unintentionally entered the detecting area and the hazard warning lights and chime starts to operate, leave the detecting area with the smart key. The tailgate will stay closed.

NOTICE

  • If the power tailgate opening height is set manually, and then User height setting is selected from the infotainment system, the power tailgate will automatically open to the height manually set by the driver.

  • If the power tailgate opening height has not been manually set, the power tailgate will fully open when User height setting from the infotainment system is selected.

  • If one of the height (Full open/Level 3/Level 2/Level 1) is selected from the settings menu in the infotainment system screen, and then User height setting is selected, the power tailgate open height will be set to the previously saved height.

Tailgate emergency safety release

Operation

  1. Insert the mechanical key into the keyhole.

  2. Move the mechanical key to the right (1).

  3. Push the tailgate upward.

WARNING

  • For emergencies, be fully aware of the location of the emergency tailgate safety release lever in the vehicle and how to open the tailgate if you are accidentally locked in the luggage compartment.

  • No one should be allowed to occupy the cargo area of the vehicle at any time. The cargo area is a very dangerous location in the event of a crash.

  • Use the release lever for emergencies only. Use with extreme caution, especially while the vehicle is in motion.

  • Do not grasp the part supporting the tailgate (gas lifter), as this may cause serious injury.