Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is designed to stabilize the vehicle when cornering. ESC checks where you are steering and where the vehicle is actually going. ESC brakes individual wheels and intervenes with the engine control system to stabilize the vehicle.

WARNING

Never drive too fast for road conditions or too fast when cornering. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent accidents. Excessive speed in turns, sudden maneuvers, and hydroplaning on wet surfaces can still result in serious accidents. Only a safe and attentive driver can prevent an accident by avoiding maneuvers that cause loss of traction with the road. Even with ESC, always observe all normal driving precautions, including driving at safe speeds for the conditions.

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is an electronic system designed to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle in adverse conditions. It is not a substitute for safe driving. Factors including speed, road conditions, and driver steering inputs may affect whether ESC can effectively prevent loss of control. You are still responsible for driving and cornering at a reasonable speed and leaving sufficient safety margin.

When you depress the brake pedal in conditions where the wheels may lock, you may hear a "tick-tick" sound from the brakes or feel a corresponding pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and means that your ESC is active.

✽ NOTICE

A clicking sound may be heard from the engine compartment when starting the vehicle or when moving off after starting the engine. These conditions are normal and indicate that the Electronic Stability Control system is operating normally.

Cruise Control Operation

ESC On Condition

• When the ignition switch is turned ON, the ESC and ESC OFF indicators illuminate for approximately 3 seconds, and then the ESC system turns on.
• Press and hold the ESC OFF button for at least 0.5 seconds after turning the ignition switch ON to turn off the ESC (the ESC OFF indicator will illuminate). To turn the ESC on, press the ESC OFF button again (the ESC OFF indicator will turn off).
• When the engine is started, you may hear a slight ticking sound. This is the ESC performing an automatic self-check and does not indicate a problem.

During Operation

When ESC is operating, the ESC indicator flashes.

• When the Electronic Stability Control is operating properly, you may feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle. This is only the effect of brake control and does not indicate anything abnormal.
• When freeing the vehicle from mud or driving on a slippery road, pressing the accelerator pedal may not increase engine speed (rpm).

ESC OFF

ESC OFF Status

This vehicle has two ESC OFF states.

If the engine stops while the ESC system is off, the ESC system remains off. After the engine is restarted, the ESC system will automatically turn on again.

ESC OFF state 1

To cancel the ESC OFF operation, press the ESC OFF button.(ESC OFF
light illuminates briefly).
) In this state, the engine control function does not operate. This means the traction control function does not operate. Only the brake control function operates.

ESC OFF state 2

To cancel the ESC OFF operation, press the ESC OFF button.) for more
than 3 seconds. The ESC OFF indicator (ESC OFF) illuminates
and the ESC OFF warning buzzer sounds. In this state, the engine control function and the brake control function do not operate. This means the vehicle stability control function no longer operates.

Indicator

When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the indicator illuminates and then turns off if the ESC system is operating normally.

The ESC indicator flashes when the ESC is operating, or illuminates when the ESC is not operating.

The ESC OFF indicator illuminates when ESC is turned off using the ESC OFF button.

CAUTION

Driving the vehicle with tires or wheels of a different size may cause a malfunction of the ESC system. When replacing tires, make sure they are the same size as the original tires.

WARNING

The Electronic Stability Control is only a driving aid. Use caution to drive safely by reducing speed when cornering or on snowy or icy roads. Drive slowly and do not attempt to accelerate when the ESC indicator is flashing or when the road surface is slippery.

Using ESC OFF

While driving

• The ESC should be turned on for everyday driving whenever possible.
• To turn off the ESC while driving, press the ESC OFF button while driving on a level road surface.

WARNING

Never press the ESC OFF button while ESC is operating (ESC indicator flashing). If ESC is turned off while it is operating, the vehicle may skid out of control.

✽ NOTICE

• When operating the vehicle on a chassis dynamometer, make sure the ESC system is turned off (ESC OFF indicator illuminated). If ESC is left on, it may prevent the vehicle speed from increasing and result in an incorrect diagnosis.
• Turning off the ESC does not affect the operation of the ABS or the brake system.

Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)

This system further improves vehicle stability and steering response when the vehicle is driving on a slippery road or when the vehicle detects a difference in friction coefficient between the right and left wheels during braking.

VSM Operation

When VSM is operating, the ESC indicator () flashes.

When the Vehicle Stability Management system is operating properly, you may feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle and/or an unusual steering response (EPS). This is only the effect of brake control and EPS and does not indicate anything abnormal.

VSM does not operate when:

• Driving on a road shoulder, such as a slope or incline
• Driving in reverse
• The ESC OFF indicator light ()
  remains on the instrument panel
• The EPS indicator remains illuminated on the instrument cluster

VSM operation is turned off

If you press the ESC OFF button to turn off ESC, VSM will also be cancelled and the ESC OFF indicator ()
illuminates.

To turn VSM on, press the button again. The ESC OFF indicator will turn off.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

VSM can be deactivated even if you do not cancel VSM operation by pressing the ESC OFF button. This indicates that a malfunction has been detected somewhere in the electric power steering system or the VSM system. If the ESC indicator () or the EPS warning light remains illuminated,
take your vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer and have the system inspected.

✽ NOTICE

• VSM is designed to operate at speeds above approximately 15 km/h on curves.
• VSM is designed to operate at speeds above approximately 18 mph (30 km/h) when braking the vehicle on a split-mu road. A split-mu road consists of surfaces with different friction coefficients.

WARNING

• The Vehicle Stability Management system does not replace safe driving practices; it is only an supplementary function. It is the driver's responsibility to always check the speed and distance to the vehicle ahead. Always hold the steering wheel firmly while driving.
• Your vehicle is designed to respond according to driver input, even with VSM installed. Always observe all normal driving precautions and drive at speeds appropriate for the conditions, including driving in adverse weather and on slippery roads.
• Driving with tires or wheels of a different size may cause the VSM system to malfunction. When replacing tires, make sure they are the same size as your original tires.