Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system
The Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) provides further enhancements to vehicle stability and steering responses under the following condition:
-
when driving on a slippery road or
-
when a change in the coefficient of friction between left and right wheels is detected.
Tire/Wheel size
When replacing tires and wheels, make sure they are the same size as the original tires and wheels installed. Driving with varying tire or wheel sizes may diminish any supplemental safety benefits of the VSM system.
VSM operation
When the VSM is operating properly, you can feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle and/or abnormal steering responses (Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS)). This is only the effect of brake and MDPS control and indicates nothing unusual.
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Driving on a sloping road such as a gradient or incline
-
Driving in reverse
-
ESC OFF indicator light (
) remains on the instrument cluster
-
MDPS indicator light remains on the instrument cluster
VSM operation off
If you press the ESC OFF button to turn off the ESC, the VSM will also cancel and the ESC OFF indicator light () appears.
To turn on the VSM, press the button again. The ESC OFF indicator light goes out.
Vehicle Stability Management
Drive carefully even though your vehicle has Vehicle Stability Management. It can only assist you in maintaining control of the vehicle under certain circumstances.
Malfunction indicator
The VSM can be deactivated even if you don't cancel the VSM operation by pressing the ESC OFF button. It indicates that a
malfunction has been detected somewhere in the Motor Driven Power Steering system or VSM system. If the ESC indicator light
(
) or MDPS warning light (
) remains on, take your vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer and have the system checked.
The VSM is not a substitute for safe driving practices but a supplementary function only. It is the responsibility of the driver to always check the speed and the distance to the vehicle ahead. Always hold the steering wheel firmly while driving.
Your vehicle is designed to activate according to the driver's intention, even with installed VSM. Always follow all the normal precautions for driving at safe speeds for the conditions – including driving in clement weather and on a slippery road.
For maximum protection, always wear your seat belt. No system, no matter how advanced, can compensate for all driver error and/or driving conditions. Always drive responsibly.