Power tailgate (if equipped)

Power tailgate operating conditions

The power tailgate operates when the gear is in P (Park, Automatic transmission) or N (Neutral, Manual transmission) with the engine running. However, the power tailgate will operate regardless of the gear position when the engine is off. Also, the tailgate can be opened only when vehicle speed is below 3 km/h (1.8 mph).

For safety, before attempting to open or close the tailgate, make sure the vehicle is in P (Park, Automatic transmission) or N (Neutral, Manual transmission) with the parking brake applied.

WARNING

Never leave children or animals unattended in your vehicle. Children may operate the power tailgate. Doing so can result in injury to themselves or others and can damage the vehicle.
Make sure that there are no people or objects in the path of the power tailgate or smart tailgate prior to use. Serious injury, damage to the vehicle or damage to surrounding objects (for example, walls, ceilings, vehicles, etc.) may result if contact with the tailgate occurs.
The tailgate may not open or may close unintentionally injuring people around the tailgate under the following situation:
- There is a lot of snow on the tailgate.
- There is a heavy object on the tailgate such as a bicycle carrier, ladder, etc.

Do not open the tailgate before removing snow or heavy object on the tailgate.

NOTICE

Do not close or open the tailgate manually. This may cause damage to the power tailgate. If it is necessary to close or open the tailgate manually when the battery is discharged or disconnected, do not apply excessive force.
Do not operate the power tailgate more than 10 times continuously when the engine is not running. Use the power tailgate with the engine running when the power tailgate is used repeatedly to prevent battery discharge.
Do not leave the power tailgate open for a long period of time. This may drain the battery.
Do not grab or hold on to the tailgate support struts at any time. Damage to the tailgate support struts could result. Deformation of the tailgate support struts may cause vehicle damage and personal injury may occur.
Do not modify or repair any part of the power tailgate by yourself. This must be done by an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
Do not operate the power tailgate under the following conditions. The power tailgate may not operate properly.
- One side of the vehicle is lifted to inspect the vehicle or change a tire
- Parking on an uneven road such as a slope, etc.
Close the tailgate completely and lock all doors and tailgate using the central door lock button before using an automatic car wash.
Do not spray high pressure water directly on the power tailgate outside open/close button. The tailgate may open unintentionally.

NOTICE

If the tailgate is not fully closed and vehicle speed is at or above 3 km/h (1.8 mph), a warning will sound 10 times. Immediately park the vehicle at a safe place, close the tailgate, and check that the tailgate open warning on the instrument cluster is turned off.
In cold and wet climates, the outside power tailgate open/close button may not work properly due to freezing conditions. If this occurs, remove the ice before using the outside power tailgate open/close button or use the power tailgate open/close button on the smart key or the instrument panel.
Operating the power tailgate more than 5 times continuously could cause damage to the operating motor. If this occurs, the power tailgate will not operate to prevent the motor from overheating. If any of the power tailgate buttons are pressed to try to open the tailgate, the chime will sound 3 times, but the tailgate will remain closed. Allow the power tailgate system to cool for about 1 minute before operating the system again.

Operating the power tailgate

Power tailgate open/close button (Smart key, Instrument panel)

When the tailgate is closed, press the power tailgate open/close button for 1 second. The power tailgate opens with a warning sound.

While the tailgate is opening, press the button to stop tailgate operation.

When the power tailgate is opened, press and hold the power tailgate open/close button to close the tailgate. If you release the button while the tailgate is closing, power tailgate operation will stop with a warning sound for 5 seconds.

Also, if the smart key is not within operation range (approximately 10 m) from the vehicle, power tailgate operation will stop with a warning sound for 5 seconds.

WARNING

Make sure that there are no people or objects in the path of the tailgate before pressing the open/close button inside the power tailgate and the smart key.

Otherwise, this may cause serious injury or damage to the vehicle or object.

Power tailgate open/close button (Outside the power tailgate)

When the tailgate is closed, press the power tailgate open/close button to open the tailgate.

If the vehicle is locked, press the power tailgate open/close button with the smart key in your possession.

If the tailgate is unlocked, the tailgate will open or close with a warning sound when the power tailgate open/close button is pressed without carrying the smart key.

Power tailgate open/close button (Inside the power tailgate)

Press the power tailgate open/close button. The tailgate opens or closes automatically.

Automatic reverse

During power tailgate operation if the power tailgate senses any obstacle, the tailgate will stop or will fully open. The automatic reverse feature may not operate properly, or it may operate unexpectedly under the following circumstances:

The automatic reverse feature may not detect the resistance if the detected resistance is below a certain level, or if the tailgate is almost fully closed near the latched position.
The automatic reverse feature may operate if a strong impact is applied with no obstructions placed.

WARNING

Never intentionally place any object or part of your body in the path of the power tailgate to make sure the automatic reverse feature operates. Serious injury, or damage to the vehicle or object may occur.

NOTICE

The power tailgate may stop operating if the automatic reverse feature operates more than two times while attempting to open or close the tailgate. If this occurs, carefully open or close the tailgate manually, and then after 30 seconds try to operate the power tailgate automatically again.

Setting the power tailgate

To use each feature, you must select the opening speed or opening height from the settings menu. Deselect the settings when you do not want to use the feature.

User height setting

Position the tailgate manually to the height you prefer.
Press the power tailgate open/close button located inside the tailgate for more than 3 seconds.

If ‘User Height Setting’ is selected for the power tailgate opening height, the power tailgate will automatically open to the height manually set by you.

NOTICE

If the power tailgate opening height has not been manually set, the power tailgate will fully open when ‘User Height Setting’ from the infotainment system is selected.
If one of the height setting (Full Open/Level 3/Level 2/Level 1) is selected from the settings menu in the infotainment system, and then ‘User Height Setting’ is selected, the tailgate will open to the height manually set by you.
The power tailgate opening speed and opening height settings change according to the linked User Profile. If the User Profile is changed, power tailgate opening speed and opening height settings will change accordingly.

Resetting the power tailgate

In some circumstances resetting the power tailgate operation may need to be performed. Some instances where resetting the power tailgate may be required include:

When the 12-volt battery is recharged
When the 12-volt battery is reinstalled after removal or replacement
When the related fuse is reinstalled after removal or replacement

With the engine off or running, put the gear in P (Park, Automatic transmission) or N (Neutral, Manual transmission)
Press the power tailgate open/close inner button (A) and outer button (B) simultaneously until a chime sounds.
Slowly close the tailgate manually.
Press the power tailgate open/close outer button. The power tailgate will open with a chime sound.

Wait until the tailgate fully opens to complete resetting. If the tailgate stops before it is fully open, resetting cannot be completed.

NOTICE

If the power tailgate does not operate properly after the above procedure, kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.

Emergency tailgate safety release

Your vehicle is equipped with the emergency tailgate safety release lever located on the bottom of the tailgate. When someone is inadvertently locked in the luggage compartment.

To unlock and open the tailgate manually from inside the luggage compartment, perform the following procedure:

Insert a long, flat object, into the opening at the bottom of the tailgate.
Slide the latch in the direction of the arrow to unlock the tailgate.
Push the tailgate to open.

WARNING

For emergencies, be fully aware of the location of the emergency tailgate safety release latch in the vehicle and how to open the tailgate if you are accidentally locked in the luggage compartment.
No one, including animals, should be allowed to occupy the luggage compartment of the vehicle at any time. The luggage compartment is a very dangerous location in the event of an accident.
Use the release latch for emergencies only. Use extreme caution, especially while the vehicle is in motion.