KIA Soul (2019 year). Manual — part 21

6 43

Driving your vehicle

Electronic stability control
(ESC)

The Electronic Stability control
(ESC) system is designed to stabi-
lize the vehicle during cornering
maneuvers. ESC checks where you
are steering and where the vehicle is
actually going. ESC applies the
brakes on individual wheels and
intervenes with the engine manage-
ment system to stabilize the vehicle.

Electronic stability control (ESC) will
not prevent accidents. Excessive
speed in turns, abrupt maneuvers and
hydroplaning on wet surfaces can still
result in serious accidents. Only a
safe and attentive driver can prevent
accidents by avoiding maneuvers that
cause the vehicle to lose traction.
Even with ESC installed, always fol-
low all the normal precautions for driv-
ing - including driving at safe speeds
for the conditions.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system is an electronic system
designed to help the driver maintain
vehicle control under adverse condi-
tions. It is not a substitute for safe driv-
ing practices. Factors including speed,
road conditions and driver steering
input can all affect whether ESC will be
effective in preventing a loss of control.
It is still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
When you apply your brakes under
conditions which may lock the wheels,
you may hear a “tik-tik’’ sound from the
brakes, or feel a corresponding sensa-
tion in the brake pedal. This is normal
and it means your ESC is active.

✽

✽

NOTICE

A click sound may be heard in the
engine compartment when the vehi-
cle begins to move after the engine is
started. These conditions are normal
and indicate that the Electronic
Stability Control System is function-
ing properly.

✽

✽

NOTICE

For maximum protection, always
wear your seat belt. No system, no
matter how advanced, can compen-
sate for all driver error and/or driv-
ing conditions. Always drive respon-
sibly.

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44

6

ESC operation

ESC ON condition

• When the ignition is turned

ON, ESC and ESC OFF
indicator lights illuminate for
approximately 3 seconds,
then ESC is turned on.

• Press the ESC OFF but-

ton for at least half a sec-
ond after turning the igni-
tion ON to turn ESC off.
(ESC OFF indicator will
illuminate). To turn the
ESC on, press the ESC
OFF button (ESC OFF
indicator light will go off).

• When starting the engine,

you may hear a slight tick-
ing sound. This is the ESC
performing an automatic
system self-check and does
not indicate a problem.

When operating

When the ESC is in opera-
tion, the ESC indicator light
blinks.
•

When the Electronic

Stability Control is operat-
ing properly, you can feel a
slight pulsation in the vehi-
cle. This is only the effect
of brake control and indi-
cates nothing unusual.

• When moving out of the

mud or driving on a slip-
pery road, pressing the
accelerator pedal may not
cause the engine rpm
(revolutions per minute) to
increase.

ESC operation off

ESC OFF state

This car has 2 kinds of ESC
off states.
If the engine stops when
ESC is off, ESC remains off.
Upon restarting the engine,
the ESC will automatically
turn on again.

-

6 45

Driving your vehicle

•

ESC off state 1

To cancel ESC operation, press the
ESC OFF button (ESC OFF

)

shortly (ESC OFF indicator light
(ESC OFF

) illuminates). At this

state, the engine control function
does not operate. It means the trac-
tion control function does not oper-
ate. Brake control function only oper-
ates.
The message (“Traction Control dis-
abled”) will appear on the LCD dis-
play.

• ESC off state 2

To cancel ESC operation, press the
ESC OFF button (ESC OFF

) for

more than 3 seconds. ESC OFF indi-
cator light (ESC OFF

) illuminates

and ESC OFF warning chime will
sound. At this state, the engine con-
trol function and brake control func-
tion do not operate. It means the car
stability control function does not
operate any more.
The message (“Traction & Stability
Control disabled”) will appear on the
LCD display.

Indicator light

When ignition switch is turned to ON,
the indicator light illuminates, then
goes off if the ESC system is operat-
ing normally.
The ESC indicator light blinks when-
ever ESC is operating or illuminates
when ESC fails to operate.
The ESC OFF indicator light comes
on when the ESC is turned off with
the button.

■ ESC indicator light

■ ESC OFF indicator light

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46

6

ESC OFF usage

When driving
• ESC should be turned on for daily

driving whenever possible.

• To turn ESC off while driving, press

the ESC OFF button while driving
on a flat road surface.

✽

✽

NOTICE

• When operating the vehicle on a

dynamometer, ensure that the
ESC is turned off (ESC OFF light
illuminated). If the ESC is left on,
it may prevent the vehicle speed
from increasing, and result in false
diagnosis.

• Turning the ESC off does not

affect ABS or brake system opera-
tion.

CAUTION

Driving with varying tire or
wheel sizes may cause the ESC
system to malfunction. When
replacing tires, make sure they
are the same size as your origi-
nal tires.

WARNING

- Operating

ESC

Never press the ESC OFF but-
ton while ESC is operating (ESC
indicator light blinks).
If ESC is turned off while ESC is
operating, the vehicle may slip
out of control.

WARNING

- Electronic sta-

bility control

Drive carefully even though
your vehicle has Electronic
Stability Control. It can only
assist you in maintaining con-
trol under certain circum-
stances.

6 47

Driving your vehicle

Vehicle stability management
(VSM)

This system provides further
enhancements to vehicle stability
and steering responses when a vehi-
cle is driving on a slippery road or a
vehicle detects changes in coeffi-
cient of friction between right wheels
and left wheels when braking.

VSM operation

When the VSM is in operation, ESC
indicator light (

) blinks.

When the vehicle stability manage-
ment is operating properly, you can
feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle
and/or abnormal steering responses
(EPS). This is only the effect of brake
and EPS control and indicates noth-
ing unusual.

The VSM does not operate when:
• Driving on bank road such as gra-

dient or incline

• Driving in reverse
• ESC OFF indicator light (

)

remains on the instrument cluster

• EPS 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 (

) illuminates.

To turn on the VSM, press the button
again. The ESC OFF indicator light
goes out.

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
Electric Power Steering system or
VSM system. If the ESC indicator
light (

) or EPS warning light

remains on, take your vehicle to an
authorized Kia dealer and have the
system checked.

✽

✽

NOTICE

• The VSM is designed to function

above approximately 13 mph (22
km/h) on curves.

• The VSM is designed to function

above approximately 6 mph (10
km/h) when a vehicle is braking on
a split-mu road. The split-mu road
is made of surfaces which have dif-
ferent friction forces.

Driving your vehicle

48

6

• The Vehicle Stability Management

system is not a substitute for safe
driving practices but a supplemen-
tary function only. It is the respon-
sibility 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.

Hill-start assist control (HAC)

A vehicle has the tendency to roll
back on a steep hill when it starts to
go after stopping. The Hill-start
Assist Control (HAC) prevents the
vehicle from rolling back by applying
the brakes automatically for about 2
seconds. The brakes are released
when the accelerator pedal is
depressed or after about 2 seconds.
The HAC is activated only for about 2
seconds, so when the vehicle is
starting off always depress the accel-
erator pedal.

Good braking practices

• Check to be sure the parking brake

is not engaged and the parking
brake indicator light is out before
driving away.

• Driving through water may get the

brakes wet. They can also get wet
when the vehicle is washed. Wet
brakes can be dangerous! Your
vehicle will not stop as quickly if the
brakes are wet. Wet brakes may
cause the vehicle to pull to one
side.
To dry the brakes, apply the brakes
lightly until the braking action
returns to normal, taking care to
keep the vehicle under control at
all times. If the braking action does
not return to normal, stop as soon
as it is safe to do so and call an
authorized Kia dealer for assis-
tance.

WARNING

- Maintaining

Brake Pressure on Incline

HAC does not replace the need
to apply brakes while stopped on
an incline. While stopped, make
sure you maintain brake pres-
sure sufficient to prevent your
vehicle from rolling backward
and causing an accident. Don’t
release the brake pedal until you
are ready to accelerate forward.

6 49

Driving your vehicle

• Don't coast down hills with the

vehicle out of gear. This is extreme-
ly hazardous. Keep the vehicle in
gear at all times, use the brakes to
slow down, then shift to a lower
gear so that engine braking will
help you maintain a safe speed.

• Don't "ride" the brake pedal.

Resting your foot on the brake
pedal while driving can be danger-
ous because the brakes might
overheat and lose their effective-
ness. It also increases the wear of
the brake components.

• If a tire goes flat while you are driv-

ing, apply the brakes gently and
keep the vehicle pointed straight
ahead while you slow down. When
you are moving slowly enough for it
to be safe to do so, pull off the road
and stop in a safe place.

• If your vehicle is equipped with an

automatic transaxle, don't let your
vehicle creep forward. To avoid
creeping forward, keep your foot
firmly on the brake pedal when the
vehicle is stopped.

• Be cautious when parking on a hill.

Firmly engage the parking brake
and place the shift lever in P (auto-
matic transaxle) or in first or
reverse gear (manual transaxle). If
your vehicle is facing downhill, turn
the front wheels into the curb to
help keep the vehicle from rolling. If
your vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb to help keep the vehicle from
rolling. If there is no curb or if it is
required by other conditions to
keep the vehicle from rolling, block
the wheels.

• Under some conditions your park-

ing brake can freeze in the
engaged position. This is most like-
ly to happen when there is an
accumulation of snow or ice
around or near the rear brakes or if
the brakes are wet. If there is a risk
that the parking brake may freeze,
apply it only temporarily while you
put the shift lever in P (automatic
transaxle) or in first or reverse gear
(manual transaxle) and block the
rear wheels so the vehicle cannot
roll. Then release the parking
brake.

• Do not hold the vehicle on the

incline with the accelerator pedal.
This can cause the transaxle to
overheat. Always use the brake
pedal or parking brake.

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50

6

The AEB system is designed to
potentially reduce accident risk. It
recognizes the distance from the
vehicle ahead or a pedestrian
through the sensors (i.e. radar and
camera), and, if necessary, warns
the driver of a collision risk with ta
warning message or warning alarms.

System setting and activation

System setting

The driver can activate the AEB by
placing the engine start/stop button
to the ON position and by selecting
'User Settings', 'Driving Assist', and
'Autonomous Emergency Braking
System'. The AEB deactivates, when
the driver cancels the system setting.

AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) (IF EQUIPPED)

WARNING

-

Autonomous Emergency
Braking (AEB) Limitations

The AEB system is a supple-
mental system and is not a sub-
stitute for safe driving prac-
tices. It is still the responsibility
of the driver to ensure it is safe
to use the AEB based on the
speed of traffic and the distance
to the nearest vehicle ahead of
the driver.

WARNING

Take the following precautions
when using the Autonomous
Emergency Braking (AEB):
• This system is only a supple-

mental system and it is not
intended to,

nor does it

replace the need for extreme
care and attention of the driv-
er. The sensing range and
objects detectable by the sen-
sors are limited. Pay attention
to the road conditions at all
times.

• NEVER drive too fast in accor-

dance with the road condi-
tions or while cornering.

• Always drive cautiously to

prevent unexpected and sud-
den situations from occur-
ring. AEB does not stop the
vehicle completely and does
not avoid collisions.

6 51

Driving your vehicle

The warning light illumi-
nates on the LCD display,
when you cancel the AEB
system. The driver can

monitor the AEB ON/OFF status on
the LCD display. Also, the warning
light illuminates when the ESC
(Electronic Stability Control) is tuned
off (Traction & Stability Control dis-
abled.) When the warning light
remains ON with the AEB activated,
have your vehicle inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer.

The driver can select the initial warn-
ing activation time in the User
Settings in the instrument cluster
LCD display. The options for the ini-
tial Forward Collision Warning
include the following:

•

EARLY

-

When this condition is
selected, the initial
Forward Collision Warning
is activated earlier than
normal. This setting maxi-
mizes the amount of dis-
tance between the vehicle
or pedestrian ahead before
the initial warning occurs.

• NORMAL - When this condition is

selected, the initial
Forward Collision
Warning is activated nor-
mally. This setting allows
for a smaller amount of
distance between the
vehicle or pedestrian
ahead before the initial
warning occurs than
EARLY mode.

•

LATE

-

When this condition is

selected, the initial Forward
Collision Warning is activat-
ed later than normal. This
setting reduces the amount
of distance between the
vehicle or pedestrian ahead
before the initial warning
occurs. The driver can use it
when the traffic is not busy
on the road and driving
speed is lower.

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6

Prerequisite for activation

The AEB will activate when the AEB
is selected on the LCD display, and
when the following prerequisites are
satisfied:
- The ESC (Electronic Stability

Control) is activated.

- The driving speed is over 6 mph

(10 km/h). (The AEB only works
within a certain range of vehicle
speeds)

- When the AEB recognizes a vehi-

cle or the pedestrian in front. (The
AEB may not recognize every
obstacle or provide warnings and
braking in every situation, so do
not rely on the AEB to stop the
vehicle in instances where the driv-
er sees an obstacle and has the
ability to apply the brakes)

• The AEB automatically activates

when you turn the vehicle on.
The driver can deactivate the AEB
by canceling the in the system set-
ting on the LCD display.

• The AEB automatically deactivates

when canceling ESC. When the
ESC is canceled, the AEB cannot
be activated on the LCD display.

AEB warning message and
system control

The AEB produces warning mes-
sages, warning alarms, and emer-
gency braking based on the level of
risk of a frontal collision, such as
when a vehicle ahead suddenly
brakes or when it detects a collision
with a pedestrian is imminent.

WARNING

Set or cancel AEB with the con-
trolling switches on the steering
wheel only when the vehicle is
stopped. Do not attempt to set
or cancel the AEB while your
vehicle is moving.

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Driving your vehicle

Forward Warning (1

st

warning)

The warning message appears on
the LCD display with the warning
alarms.

Collision Warning (2

nd

warning)

• The warning message appears on

the LCD display with the warning
alarms.

• The AEB applies the brakes within

certain limit to reduce the impact
from a collision.

Emergency braking (3

rd

warning)

• The warning message appears on

the LCD display with the warning
alarms.

• The AEB controls the brakes with-

in certain limit to reduce the impact
from the collision.
The AEB controls the maximum
brakes just before the collision.

OPS056129L

OPS056130L

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6

Brake operation

• In an urgent situation, the braking

system enters into the ready status
for prompt reaction against the dri-
ver’s depressing the brake pedal.

• The AEB provides additional brak-

ing power for optimum braking per-
formance, when the driver
depresses the brake pedal.

• The braking control is automatical-

ly deactivated, when the driver
sharply depresses the brake pedal,
or when the driver abruptly turns
the steering wheel.

• The braking control is automatical-

ly canceled, when risk factors dis-
appear.

The driver should always exercise
caution when operating the vehicle,
even though there is no warning
message or warning alarm.

✽

✽

NOTICE

The AEB operates in accordance
with the risk levels, such as the dis-
tance from the vehicle/passer-by in
front, the speed of the vehicle/pass-
er-by in front, and the driver's vehi-
cle operation.

✽

✽

NOTICE

The AEB system logic operates with-
in certain parameters, such as the
distance from the vehicle or pedes-
trian ahead, the speed of the vehicle
ahead, and the driver's vehicle
speed. Certain conditions such as
inclement weather and road condi-
tions may affect the operation of the
AEB system.

WARNING

The AEB cannot avoid all colli-
sions. The AEB might not com-
pletely stop the vehicle before
collision, due to ambient weath-
er and road conditions. The
driver has the responsibility to
drive safely and control the
vehicle.

WARNING

The AEB braking control is a
supplemental system and can-
not completely stop the vehicle
nor avoid all collisions. It is the
responsibility of the driver to
safely drive and control the
vehicle.

WARNING

Never deliberately drive danger-
ously to activate the system as
such conduct increases the risk
of an accident.

6 55

Driving your vehicle

Sensor to detect the distance
from the vehicle in front
(front radar)

The sensor detects the distance to
the vehicle in front. However, a for-
eign substances on the sensor lens,
such as snow and rain, may adverse-
ly affect the sensing performance. It
may even temporarily cancel the
AEB. Always keep the sensor lens
clean.

• Do not apply license plate molding

or foreign objects such as a
bumper sticker or a bumper guard
near the radar sensor. Doing so
may adversely affect the sensing
performance of the radar.

• Always keep the radar sensor and

cover clean and free of dirt and
debris.

• Use only a soft cloth to wash the

vehicle. Do not spray pressurized
water directly on the sensor or sen-
sor cover.

• Be careful not to apply unneces-

sary force on the radar sensor or
sensor cover. If the sensor is
forcibly moved out of proper align-
ment, the AEB system may not
operate correctly. In this case, a
warning message may not be dis-
played. Have the vehicle inspected
by an authorized Kia dealer.

• If the front bumper becomes dam-

aged in the area around the radar
sensor, the AEB system may not
operate properly. Have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.

• Use only genuine Kia parts to

repair or replace a damaged sen-
sor or sensor cover. Do not apply
paint to the sensor cover.

• NEVER install any accessories or

stickers on the front windshield,
nor tint the front windshield.

• NEVER locate any reflective

objects (i.e. white paper, mirror)
over the dashboard. Any light
reflection may cause a malfunction
of the system.

• Pay extreme caution to keep the

camera out of water.

• NEVER disassemble the camera

assembly, nor apply any impact on
the camera assembly.

• Playing the vehicle audio system at

high volume may offset the system
warning sounds.

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56

6

Warning message and warning
light

When the sensor is covered or the
sensor lens is dirty with foreign sub-
stances, such as snow or rain, the
AEB operation may temporarily stop.
In this case, a warning message will
appear to notify the driver.

This is not a malfunction with the
AEB. To operate the AEB again,
remove the foreign substances.

✽

✽

NOTICE

• Do not install any accessories, such

as a license plate bracket or
bumper sticker near the sensor
area. Do not replace the bumper
by yourself. Doing so may adverse-
ly affect the sensing performance.

• Always keep the sensor/bumper

area clean.

• Use only a soft cloth to wash the

vehicle. Also, do not spray highly
pressurized water on the sensor
installed on the bumper.

• Be careful not to apply unneces-

sary force on the frontal sensor
area. When the sensor moves out
of the correct position due to
external force, the system may not
operate correctly even without the
warning light or message. In this
case, have your vehicle inspected
by an authorized Kia dealer.

• Use only the genuine Kia sensor

cover. Do not arbitrarily apply
paint on the sensor cover.

System malfunction

• When the AEB is not working prop-

erly, the AEB warning light (

) will

illuminate and the warning mes-
sage will appear for a few seconds.
After the message disappears, the
master warning light (

) will illu-

minate. In this case, have your vehi-
cle inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.

• The AEB warning message may

appear along with the illumination
of the ESC warning light.

OPS056131L

OPS056132L

6 57

Driving your vehicle

✽

✽

NOTICE

In certain instances and under cer-
tain driving conditions, the AEB sys-
tem may activate prematurely. This
initial warning message appears on
the LCD display with a warning
chime.
Also, in certain instances the front
radar sensor or camera recognition
system may not detect the vehicle or
pedestrian ahead. The AEB system
may not activate and the warning
message will not be displayed.

✽

✽

NOTICE

• If there is a malfunction with the

AEB system, the automatic emer-
gency braking is not applied even
though it is operating normally.

• The AEB system may not activate

if the driver applies the brake
pedal to avoid a collision.

WARNING

The AEB is only a supplemental
system for the driver's conven-
ience. It is the driver's responsi-
bility of the driver to control the
vehicle. Do not solely depend
on the AEB system. Rather,
maintain a safe braking dis-
tance,

and,

if necessary,

depress the brake pedal to
reduce the driving speed.

WARNING

• Always maintain a safe dis-

tance between your vehicle
and the vehicle in front of you.
If the vehicle in front stops
suddenly, you may have less
control of the brake system.

• Always keep loose objects

secured.

The AEB system

may activate during braking
and the vehicle may stop sud-
denly causing those loose
objects to become dangerous
projectiles within the vehicle
and increase the risk of
injuries to vehicle occupants.

• The AEB system cannot

detect the driver approaching
the side view of a parked vehi-
cle (for example on a dead
end street.) In these cases,
you must maintain a safe
braking distance, and if nec-
essary, depress the brake
pedal to reduce the driving
speed in order to maintain a
safe distance to avoid an acci-
dent.

Driving your vehicle

58

6

• The brake control may be insuffi-

cient, possibly causing a collision,
if a vehicle in front abruptly stops.
Always pay extreme caution.

• Occupants may get injured, if the

vehicle abruptly stops by the acti-
vated AEB system. Pay extreme
caution.

• The AEB system operates only to

detect vehicles or pedestrians in
front of the vehicle.

• The AEB system does not operate

when the vehicle is in reverse.

• The AEB system is not designed to

detect other objects on the road
such as animals.

• The AEB system does not detect

vehicles in the opposite lane.

• The AEB system does not detect

cross traffic vehicles that are
approaching.

Limitations of the system

The Automatic Emergency Braking
(AEB) system is designed to monitor
the vehicle ahead or a pedestrian on
the roadway through radar signals
and camera recognition to warn the
driver that a collision is imminent,
and if necessary, apply emergency
braking.
In certain situations, the radar sen-
sor or the camera may not be able to
detect the vehicle or pedestrian
ahead. In these cases, the AEB sys-
tem may not operate. The driver must
pay careful attention in the following
situations where the AEB operation
may be limited.

Recognizing vehicles

The sensor may be limited when:
• The radar sensor or camera is

blocked with a foreign object or
debris

• Inclement weather such as heavy

rain or snow obscures the field of
view of the radar sensor or camera

• There is interference by electro-

magnetic waves

• There is severe irregular reflection

from the radar sensor

• The radar/camera sensor recogni-

tion is limited

• The vehicle in front is too small to

be detected (for example a motor-
cycle or a bicycle, etc.)

• The camera cannot fit the full out-

line of a vehicle in front

• The vehicle in front is an oversize

vehicle or trailer that is too big to
be detected by the camera recog-
nition system (for example a tractor
trailer, etc.)

• The driver's field of view is not well

illuminated (either too dark or too
much reflection or too much back-
light that obscures the field of view)