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Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)

After parking your Kia, apply the EPB to prevent your Kia from being moved by an external force.

Applying the parking brake

Applying the parking brake with EPB switch

1
Depress the brake pedal.
2
Pull up the EPB switch.

Make sure the warning light comes on.

The EPB is applied automatically if the Auto Hold button is on when your Kia is turned off. If you pull up the EPB switch after your Kia is turned off, the EPB will be applied.

WARNING

Never leave children or animals unattended in your Kia. If you leave children unaccompanied in the vehicle, they may be able to set your Kia in motion by, for example:

  • Releasing the parking brake.

  • Shifting the transmission out of P (Park) position.

  • Starting the engine.

Operating vehicle equipment.

NOTICE

On a steep incline or when pulling a trailer, if your Kia does not remain at a standstill, do as follows:

  1. Apply the EPB.

  2. Pull up the EPB switch for more than 3 seconds.

Do not operate the EPB while your Kia is moving except in an emergency.

NOTICE

A click or electric brake motor whine sound may be heard while operating or releasing the EPB.

These conditions are normal and indicate that the EPB is functioning properly.

Automatic application of EPB

The EPB is applied automatically under the following conditions:

  • Shift to P (Park) on a slope

  • Engine OFF while AUTO HOLD is enabled

  • When your Kia moves a bit in P (Park) position

  • Conditions while AUTO HOLD is activated

    • Driver's door is opened

    • Hood is opened

    • Liftgate is opened

    • Vehicle stops for more than approximately 10 minutes on a steep slope

  • Requested by other systems

NOTICE

For EPB equipped vehicles with AUTO HOLD function used while driving, if the ENGINE START/STOP button has been turned OFF, the EPB will be engaged automatically. Therefore, the AUTO HOLD function should be turned off before the ENGINE START/STOP button is turned off.

Emergency braking with the EPB switch

If there is a problem with the brake pedal while driving, emergency braking is possible by pulling up and holding the EPB switch.

Braking is possible only while you are holding the EPB switch.

WARNING

Do not operate the EPB while your Kia is moving except in an emergency. Applying the EPB while your Kia is moving at normal speeds can cause a sudden loss of control of your Kia. If you must use the EPB to stop your Kia, use great caution in applying the brake.

NOTICE

During emergency braking by the EPB, the parking brake warning light will appear to indicate that the system is operating.

If you notice a continuous noise or burning smell when the EPB is used for emergency braking, have your vehicle checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

Releasing the parking brake with EPB switch

Releasing the parking brake with EPB switch,

1
Have the ENGINE START/STOP button in the ON position.
2
Press the brake pedal.
3
Press the EPB switch.
4
Make sure the brake warning light goes off.

Automatic release of EPB (if Shift by Wire (SBW) not equipped)

The EPB is released automatically under following conditions.

  • Gear in P (Park)

    • With the engine running, engage the brake pedal and shift out of P (Park) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive).

  • Gear in N (Neutral)

    • With the engine running, engage the brake pedal and shift out of N (Neutral) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive).

  • Automatic transmission

    1. Start the engine.

    2. Fasten the driver's seat belt.

    3. Close the driver's door, hood and liftgate.

    4. Press the accelerator pedal while the gear is in (Reverse), D (Drive), or Sports mode.

Make sure the brake warning light turn off.

NOTICE

  • You can engage the EPB even though the ENGINE START/STOP button is in the OFF position, but you cannot release it.

  • Press the brake pedal and release the parking brake manually with the EPB switch when you drive downhill or when backing up your Kia.

Do not follow the above procedure when driving on a flat level ground. Your Kia may suddenly move forward.

NOTICE

If the parking brake warning light remains on even though the EPB has been released, have the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION

Do not drive your vehicle with the EPB applied. It may cause excessive brake pad and brake rotor wear.

EPB warning

The EPB will display a warning message with sound under certain conditions:

  • If you try to drive while engaging the accelerator pedal with the EPB applied, but the EPB doesn't release automatically, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

  • If the driver's seat belt is not fastened and your Kia hood, driver's door or liftgate is opened, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

    A: To release EPB, fasten seatbelt and close door, hood, and trunk/liftgate

  • If there is a problem with your Kia, a warning may sound and a message may appear.

Press the brake pedal and release EPB by pressing the EPB switch.

WARNING

Parking Brake Use

  • Never allow a passenger to touch the parking brake. If the parking brake is released unintentionally, serious injury may occur.

  • All vehicles should always have the parking brake fully engaged when parked to avoid inadvertent movement of your Kia which can injure occupants or pedestrians.

  • A click or electric brake motor whine sound may be heard while operating or releasing the EPB. This is normal and indicates that the EPB is functioning properly.

  • When leaving your keys with a parking lot attendant or valet, make sure to inform him/her how to operate the EPB.

  • The EPB may malfunction if you drive with the EPB applied.

  • When you automatically release EPB by pressing the accelerator pedal, press it slowly.

When the conversion from Auto Hold to EPB is not working properly a warning will sound and a message will appear.

A: Press brake pedal to deactivate AUTO HOLD

NOTICE

Engage the brake pedal when the above message appears for the Auto Hold and EPB may not activate.

If the EPB is applied while Auto Hold is activated because of an ESC signal, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

A: Parking brake automatically engaged

EPB malfunction indicator

This warning light appears if the ENGINE START/STOP button is changed to the ON position and goes off in approximately 3 seconds if the system is operating normally.

If the EPB malfunction indicator remains on, comes on while driving, or does not come on when the ENGINE START/STOP button is changed to the ON position, this indicates that the EPB may have malfunctioned.

Have your vehicle checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

The EPB malfunction indicator may appear when the ESC indicator comes on to indicate that the ESC is not working properly, but it does not indicate a malfunction of the EPB.

NOTICE

The EPB warning light may appear if the EPB switch operates abnormally. Shut the engine off and turn it on again after a few minutes. The warning light will turn off and the EPB switch will operate normally. If the EPB warning light remains on, have the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

If the EPB warning light does not appear or blinks even though the EPB switch was pulled up, the EPB is not applied.

If the EPB warning light blinks when the EPB warning light is on, press the EPB switch, then pull it up. Press it back to its original position and pull it back up. If the EPB warning does not turn off, have the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

When the EPB is not released

If the EPB does not release normally, take your vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer by loading the vehicle on a flatbed tow truck and have the system checked.