Search by Title only
Home > Driving your vehicle > Brake system > Downhill Brake Control (DBC)

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 2.5 mph (4 km/h) ~ 25 mph (40 km/h) 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

appear

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

The system does not turn ON if vehicle speed is over 38 mph (60 km/h).

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 within 2.5 mph (4 km/h) ~ 25 mph (40 km/h)

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

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

Temporarily deactivated

appear

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 25 mph (40 km/h) ~ 38 mph (60 km/h)

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 38 mph (60 km/h)
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 authorized 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 shift lever is in P (Park).

    • The ESC is activated.