Kia Sorento: Automatic release of EPB (if Shift by Wire (SBW) not equipped). EPB warning

Automatic release of EPB (if Shift by Wire (SBW) not equipped)

The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) in your Kia Sorento is designed to disengage automatically when specific operating conditions are safely met:

• The gear is in P (Park): With the engine running, firmly engage the service brake pedal and shift the gear selector from P (Park) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive).

• The gear is in N (Neutral): With the engine running, engage the service brake pedal and shift the gear selector from N (Neutral) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive).

• Automatic transmission sequence:

  1. Start the engine securely.

  2. Fasten the driver side seatbelt securely.

  3. Close the driver side door, the engine hood, and the rear liftgate completely.

  4. Apply gentle pressure to the accelerator pedal while the transmission is shifted into R (Reverse), D (Drive), or Sports mode.

Always verify that the red Brake Warning Light turns completely OFF before driving your Kia Sorento.

NOTE

• You can engage the EPB even when the ENGINE START/STOP button is in the OFF position, but the system will not allow you to release it until power is restored.

• Engage the brake pedal and release the parking brake manually using the EPB switch when driving downhill or backing up your vehicle into a tight space.

Do not follow the above automatic release procedure when driving on flat, level ground without intent, as your Kia Sorento may suddenly move forward.

NOTE

If the Brake Warning Light remains illuminated after you release the EPB, have the braking system inspected promptly by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION

Do not drive your vehicle with the EPB applied. Doing so may cause excessive friction, leading to premature brake pad and brake rotor wear.

EPB warning

An EPB warning notification appears on your display cluster and an audible warning chimes under the following conditions:

• You attempt to drive away by pressing the accelerator pedal while the EPB remains applied, and the system fails to disengage automatically.

• When you try to drive with the parking brake active, but it doesn't release automatically, an alert will sound and a descriptive message will appear.

  (A) To release EPB, close the doors, the hood and the trunk/liftgate and fasten the seatbelt.

• If you try to drive while the EPB is applied, but it does not release automatically, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

Depress the service brake pedal and release the EPB manually using the console switch.

TIP

Parking brake use best practices:

• Never allow a passenger or anyone who is unfamiliar with your vehicle to touch the EPB switch. If the parking brake is released unintentionally, serious injury or death may occur.

• Always fully engage the parking brake when parked to avoid inadvertent movement of your vehicle, which can injure occupants or pedestrians.

• You may hear a subtle mechanical click or an electric brake motor whine sound while engaging or releasing the EPB. This is completely normal and indicates that the EPB mechanism is functioning properly.

• When leaving your keys with a parking lot attendant or valet, clearly inform them how to apply and release the EPB.

• The EPB may experience a functional error if you persistently drive with it engaged.

• When you automatically release the EPB by engaging the accelerator pedal, apply throttle smoothly and slowly.

When the conversion from Auto Hold to EPB is not working properly, the system displays the following warning message with sound:

(A) Press brake pedal to deactivate AUTO HOLD

NOTE

When this warning message appears, engage the brake pedal firmly to deactivate Auto Hold.

If you apply the EPB while Auto Hold is activated because of an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) signal, the system displays the following warning message with sound:

(A) Parking brake automatically engaged

Applying the parking brake. Releasing the parking brake with EPB switch

Applying the parking brake Applying the parking brake with EPB switch Depress a...

EPB malfunction indicator. When the EPB is not released

EPB malfunction indicator If you press the ENGINE START/STOP button in the ON position, and the engine turns OFF after approximately 3 seconds while the system is operating normally, the followin...