Kia Sorento: Automatic heating and air conditioning (A/C) operation. Manual heating and air conditioning (A/C) operation - Automatic climate control system: (if equipped) - Controls and FeaturesKia Sorento: Automatic heating and air conditioning (A/C) operation. Manual heating and air conditioning (A/C) operation

Kia Sorento (MQ4, 2021-2026) Owner's Manual / Controls and Features / Automatic climate control system: (if equipped) / Automatic heating and air conditioning (A/C) operation. Manual heating and air conditioning (A/C) operation

Automatic heating and air conditioning (A/C) operation

Overview of the automated HVAC operating interface on the Kia Sorento central console

  1. Press the AUTO climate control activation button icon on the Kia Sorento dashboard icon.

    The modes, fan speeds, air intake, and air-conditioning are controlled automatically by setting the temperature.

    Level

    Indicator

    LCD Display

    Air flow

    High

    High blower level indicator graphic for the Kia Sorento automatic climate system
    High blower level LCD screen readouts on the Kia Sorento instrument panel

    2–8

    Medium

    Medium blower level indicator graphic for the Kia Sorento automatic climate system
    Medium blower level LCD screen readouts on the Kia Sorento instrument panel

    1–6

    Low

    Low blower level indicator graphic for the Kia Sorento automatic climate system
    Low blower level LCD screen readouts on the Kia Sorento instrument panel

    1–4

  2. Turn the temperature control knob Cabin temperature regulation knob icon on the Kia Sorento climate interface to the desired temperature.

TIP

  • To turn the automatic operation off, press any of the following buttons:

    • Mode selection button

    • Air conditioning button

    • Front windshield defroster button

      Press the button again to deselect the front windshield defroster function. The AUTO sign will appear on the information display once again.

    • Fan speed control knob

    The selected function is controlled manually, while other functions operate automatically.

  • To improve the effectiveness of the climate control, press the AUTO button and set the temperature to 72 °F (22 °C).

TIP

For better control of the heating and cooling system, never place anything over the sensor (1) located on the instrument panel.

Location of the climate control solar and ambient temperature sensor on the Kia Sorento dashboard

Manual heating and air conditioning (A/C) operation

The heating and cooling system can be controlled manually by pressing buttons other than the AUTO button.

Complete manual HVAC layout and control buttons on the Kia Sorento center console

To manually operate the heating and A/C, follow these steps:

  1. Start the vehicle.
  2. Set the desired mode.
    • Heating: Cabin heating mode indicator icon on the Kia Sorento climate panel

    • Cooling: Cabin cooling and air conditioning mode indicator icon on the Kia Sorento climate panel

  3. Set the temperature control as desired.
  4. Set the air intake control to external air.
  5. Set the desired fan speed. Turn the A/C system on if desired.

Press the AUTO button to switch to the automatically controlled climate system.

Mode selection

Dashboard ventilation layout overview for the Kia Sorento airflow distribution system

The mode selection button controls the direction of airflow through the ventilation system.

Face-level airflow distribution icon for the Kia Sorento ventilation ventsFace-Level (2, 4, 6, 8)

Air flow is directed toward the upper body and face. You can control the direction of the airflow from each vent.

Bi-level dual airflow distribution icon for the Kia Sorento cabin ventsBi-Level (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Air flow is directed toward the upper body and face and the floor.

Floor-level primary airflow distribution icon for the Kia Sorento interior heatingFloor-Level (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8)

Most of the airflow is directed to the floor, and a small amount is directed to the windshield, side window defrosters, and side air vents.

Floor and defrost dual airflow distribution icon for the Kia Sorento cabinFloor/Defrost-Level (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8)

Most of the airflow is directed to the floor and windshield, and a small amount is directed to the side window defrosters and side air vents.

Windshield defrost-level primary airflow icon for the Kia Sorento climate systemDefrost-Level (1, 4)

Most of the air flow is directed to the windshield, and a small amount is directed to the side window defrosters and side air vents.

Instrument panel vents

Figure 1. Front
Front cabin dashboard air vents layout and positioning in the Kia Sorento
Figure 2. Center
Center console air conditioning vents and adjustments in the Kia Sorento
Figure 3. Rear
Rear passenger cabin air conditioning vents layout in the Kia Sorento

You can adjust the direction of a vent’s airflow using the vent control lever as shown.

Temperature control

Driver temperature control dial interface on the Kia Sorento dashboardPassenger temperature control dial interface on the Kia Sorento dashboard

Turn the temperature control knob clockwise to increase the temperature or counterclockwise to decrease the temperature.

When set to the lowest temperature setting, the A/C will operate continuously.

Syncing driver and passenger temperature

SYNC feature control button on the multi-zone Kia Sorento climate panel

Adjusting the driver and passenger side temperature individually

To adjust the driver and passenger side temperatures individually, press the SYNC button again. The button indicator will turn off.

Changing temperature scale

To switch the temperature scale between Celsius and Fahrenheit, press the AUTO button for at least 3 seconds while pressing the OFF button.

The display will change from Fahrenheit to Celsius or vice versa. If the battery is discharged or disconnected, the temperature scale will reset to Celsius.

Controlling air intake

Air intake source selection control button on the Kia Sorento center console

Select the external or recirculated airflow.

To change the air intake, press the desired control button.

Recirculated air intake

Air from the vehicle cabin is drawn through the heating system and cooled or heated accordingly.

External air intake

Air enters the vehicle from outside and is heated or cooled accordingly.

Controlling fan speed

Fan speed adjustment buttons and blower controls on the Kia Sorento dashboard

Air conditioning (A/C)

Air conditioning compressor activation button on the Kia Sorento HVAC panel

Turning off the front air climate control

Climate control system power shutoff button on the Kia Sorento dashboard

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