Kia Sorento: Auto Hold

The Auto Hold function keeps your Kia Sorento securely still, even if you do not continue to hold your foot on the brake pedal after you have engaged it to bring your vehicle to a complete stop.

Applying Auto Hold function

1. Engage the brake pedal and start your vehicle.
2. Press the Auto Hold button on the console. The white AUTO HOLD indicator light appears on the dash, indicating that the system is in active standby.

   Before the Auto Hold function can engage successfully, you must ensure the driver side door and engine hood are fully closed.

When you come to a complete stop by engaging the brake pedal, the AUTO HOLD indicator light changes from white to green, indicating that Auto Hold is engaged. Your vehicle remains at a standstill even if you release your foot from the brake pedal.

If the EPB is applied manually, Auto Hold will be released.

If you engage the accelerator pedal with the gear in D (Drive) or Manual mode, the Auto Hold function is released automatically, and your Kia Sorento starts to move forward. The indicator light changes from green to white, indicating that the Auto Hold function is back in standby and the brake is released.

When driving after releasing Auto Hold by engaging the accelerator pedal, always check your surroundings carefully.

Engage the accelerator pedal slowly for a smooth and controlled forward motion.

Canceling Auto Hold operation

• To cancel the Auto Hold operation manually, press the AUTO HOLD switch while the vehicle is stationary. The green or white AUTO HOLD indicator turns completely OFF.
• To cancel the Auto Hold operation safely when your Kia Sorento is at a standstill, press the AUTO HOLD switch while simultaneously engaging and holding the service brake pedal.

• Auto Hold does not engage under the following conditions (the AUTO HOLD indicator light does not turn green, and the Auto Hold system remains securely in standby):

  • You open the driver side door.

  • You open the engine hood.

  • You shift the transmission gear to P (Park).

  • You apply the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) manually.

• Auto Hold automatically switches to EPB under any of the following conditions (the AUTO HOLD indicator light remains white and the EPB applies automatically):

  • You open the driver side door.

  • You open the engine hood.

  • Your vehicle remains at a standstill for more than 10 continuous minutes.

  • Your vehicle is held at a standstill on an exceptionally steep slope.

  • You moved your vehicle slightly for a few seconds.

    In these cases, the Brake Warning Light appears on the instrument cluster, the AUTO HOLD indicator light changes from green to white, an audible warning sounds, and a descriptive message appears to inform you that the EPB has been applied automatically. Before driving your Kia Sorento again, engage the brake pedal firmly, check your surrounding traffic, and use the EPB switch to manually release the parking brake.

• If the AUTO HOLD indicator light turns yellow or amber, the Auto Hold function has detected an operational fault and is not working properly. Have the system inspected promptly by an authorized Kia dealer.

To reduce the risk of an unexpected collision or loss of control, do not activate Auto Hold while driving downhill, backing up into a parking spot, or maneuvering in tight spaces.

If there is an electrical or sensor malfunction with the driver side door or engine hood open detection system, the Auto Hold function may fail to work properly. Have the system diagnosed and inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

You may hear a subtle mechanical click or an electric motor whine sound while the system transitions between engaging or releasing the EPB. This acoustic feedback is completely normal and indicates that your Kia Sorento braking actuators are functioning properly.

Warning messages

The Auto Hold function displays a warning message with sound under the following conditions:

When you apply the EPB directly from an active Auto Hold state.

(A) Parking brake automatically engaged

When the automatic conversion from Auto Hold to the EPB does not work properly.

(A) AUTO HOLD turning Off! Press brake pedal

NOTE

When this warning message appears, the Auto Hold function and the EPB may experience limited operation. For your safety, engage the service brake pedal immediately.

If you fail to engage the brake pedal when you attempt to release the Auto Hold function by pressing the AUTO HOLD switch, a warning sounds and a message appears on the multi-information display.

(A) Press brake pedal to deactivate AUTO HOLD

When you press the AUTO HOLD switch while the driver side door and engine hood are open, an alert sounds and a notification appears.

(A) AUTO HOLD conditions not met. Close door and hood.

Press the AUTO HOLD switch only after closing the driver side door and engine hood securely.