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Downhill Brake Control (DBC)

The Downhill Brake Control (DBC) feature assists the driver to descend down a steep hill without having to depress the brake pedal.

The system automatically applies the brakes to maintain the vehicle speed 4 km/h (2.5mph) ~ 40 km/h (25 mph) and allows the driver to concentrate on steering the vehicle down hill.

Always turn off the DBC on normal roads. The DBC might activate inadvertently from the stand by mode when driving through speed bumps or making sharp curves.

NOTICE

The DBC defaults to the OFF position whenever the ignition switch is placed in the ON position.

Noise or vibration may occur from the brakes when the DBC is activated.

The rear stop light comes on when DBC is activated.

DBC operation

Mode

Indicator light

Description

Standby

appeared

Press the DBC button or select MUD mode among TERRAIN MODE when vehicle speed is under 60km/h (38mph). The DBC system will turn ON and enter the standby mode.

Activated

blinks

In the standby mode, It enters the operating mode when the following conditions are met.

  • The road surface should be more than a certain angle of inclination

  • The accelerator pedal must not be depressed.

  • The vehicle speed should be below 40km/h

    • 2.5 km/h (1.5 mph) ~ 8 km/h (5 mph) in case of backward movement

Within operating vehicle speed 4 km/h (2.5 mph) ~ 40 km/h (25 mph), the driver can lower or raise the vehicle speed by stepping on the brake pedal or accelerator pedal.

Temporarily deactivated

appeared

In the activated mode, the DBC will temporarily deactivate under the following conditions:

  • The hill is not steep enough.

  • The accelerator pedal is depressed.

  • When the vehicle speed is in the range of 40 km/h (25 mph) ~ 60 km/h (38 mph)

If the above conditions are not met, the DBC will automatically activate again.

OFF

not appeared

The DBC will turn OFF under the following conditions:

  • The DBC button is pressed again.

  • When the accelerator pedal is depressed and the vehicle speed exceeds 60 km/h (38 mph)
WARNING

If the DBC yellow indicator light appears, the system may have overheated or have malfunctioned. When the warning light appears even though the DBC system has cooled off, have your vehicle checked by an authorised Kia dealer as soon as possible.

NOTICE

  • The DBC may not deactivate on steep inclines even though the brake or accelerator pedal is depressed.

  • The DBC does not operate when:

    • The gear is in P (Park).

    • The ESC is activated.