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If the engine overheats

If your temperature gauge indicates overheating, you experience a loss of power, or hear loud pinging or knocking, the engine may be overheating. If this happens, you should:
1
Pull off the road and stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
2
Place the shift button in P (Park) and set the parking brake.
3
Make sure that there is no hot steam gushing out of the engine compartment. When it is safe to do so, open the engine compartment, and check the water-pump connector. When the water-pump connector is disconnected, stop the engine, reconnect the water-pump connector, and then re-start the engine.
4
Set the temperature and the air flow to the maximum, and turn ON the air conditioner.
WARNING

Under the hood

While the engine is running, keep hair, hands and clothing away from moving parts, such as the fan and drive belts, to prevent injury.

5
When the Service warning light () illuminates on the instrument cluster, immediately stop the engine, and contact an authorized Kia dealer/service partner. When the engine warning light () illuminates, or when the coolant or hot steams gush out of the engine compartment, leave the engine compartment opened, while running the engine. This is to ventilate the engine compartment and to cool down the engine.
6
Check the coolant temperature gauge on the instrument cluster to make sure the coolant temperature is sufficiently cooled down. Check the coolant level. When it is insufficient, check its connection with the radiator, the heater hose, and the water pump for any leakage. When there is no leakage, add the coolant. However, if the problems persists, such as the illumination of the warning lights, leakages, or the cooling-fan malfunction, which may overheat the engine, immediately stop the engine, and have your vehicle checked by an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
WARNING

Never remove the engine coolant cap and/or inverter coolant cap or the drain plug while the engine and radiator are hot.

Hot coolant and steam may blow out under pressure, causing serious injury.

Turn the hybrid system off and wait until the engine cools down. Use extreme care when removing the engine coolant cap and/or inverter coolant cap. Wrap a thick towel around it, and turn it counterclockwise slowly to the first stop. Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When you are sure all the pressure has been released, press down on the cap, using a thick towel, and continue turning counterclockwise to remove it.

7
If you cannot find the cause of the overheating, wait until the engine temperature has returned to normal. Then, if coolant has been lost, carefully add coolant to the reservoir to bring the fluid level in the reservoir up to the halfway mark.
8
Proceed with caution, keeping alert for further signs of overheating. If overheating happens again, we recommend that you call an authorized Kia dealer/service partner for assistance.
CAUTION

  • Serious loss of coolant indicates there is a leak in the cooling system and this should be checked as soon as possible by a professional workshop. Kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.

  • When the engine overheats from low engine coolant, suddenly adding engine coolant may cause cracks in the engine. To prevent damage, add engine coolant slowly in small quantities.