Tailgate
Opening the tailgate
- The tailgate is locked or unlocked when all doors are locked or unlocked with the key, transmitter (or smart key) or central door lock switch.
- If unlocked, the tailgate can be opened by pressing the handle switch and then pulling the handle up.
- Only the tailgate is unlocked if the tailgate unlock button on the smart key is pressed (if equipped). Once the tailgate is opened and then closed, the tailgate is locked automatically.
✽ NOTICE
In cold and wet climates, door lock and door mechanisms may not work properly due to freezing conditions.
WARNING
The tailgate swings upward. Make sure no objects or people are near the rear of the vehicle when opening the tailgate.
CAUTION
Make certain that you close the tailgate before driving your vehicle. Possible damage may occur to the tailgate lift cylinders and attached hardware if the tailgate is not closed prior to driving.
Closing the tailgate
To close the tailgate, lower and push down the tailgate firmly. Make sure that the tailgate is securely latched.
WARNING
Make sure your hands, feet and other parts of your body are safely out of the way before closing the tailgate.
WARNING - Exhaust fumes
If you drive with the tailgate open, you may draw dangerous exhaust fumes into your vehicle which can cause serious injury or death to vehicle occupants. If you must drive with the tailgate opened, keep the air vents and all windows open so that additional outside air comes into the vehicle.
WARNING - Rear cargo area
Occupants should never ride in the rear cargo area where no restraints are available. To avo
Power tailgate (if equipped)
(1) Power tailgate open/close button
(2) Power tailgate off button
(3) Power tailgate handle switch
(4) Power tailgate close button
✽ NOTICE
The power tailgate operates when:
- Automatic shift lever is in P (Park).
- Manual shift lever is in neutral.
WARNING
Never leave children or animals unattended in your vehicle. Unattended children or animals could activate the power tailgate which may result in injury to themselves or others, or damage to the vehicle.
WARNING
- Make sure there are no people or objects around the tailgate before operating the power tailgate. Wait until the tailgate is opened fully and stopped before loading or unloading cargo or passengers from the vehicle.
- During power operation, serious personal injury or cargo damage may occur. Make sure the tailgate is CLOSED and latched before driving.
CAUTION
Do not close or open the power tailgate manually during automatic operation.This may cause damage to the power tailgate or to the vehicle. If it is necessary to close or open the power tailgate manually when the battery is discharged or disconnected, make sure the tailgate is not in operation. Switch the power tailgate to the off position. Do not apply excessive force.
Opening the tailgate
The power tailgate will open automatically by doing one of the following:
- Press the tailgate unlock button on the transmitter or smart key.
- Press the power tailgate open button.
Press the tailgate handle switch carrying the smart key with you.
Closing the tailgate
1. Press the power tailgate close button on the tailgate or inside the vehicle (approximately 1 second).
2. The tailgate will close and lock automatically.
WARNING
The chime will sound and the hazard warning flasher will blink 10 times if you drive with the tailgate closed but not fully secured. Stop your vehicle immediately at a safe place to check if your tailgate is securely locked.
✽ NOTICE
The button on the tailgate will not illuminate or function when the system is in the off/manual mode.
Power tailgate non-opening conditions
- The power tailgate will not open or close automatically, when the vehicle is moving more than 2mph (3km/h).
- If you press the power tailgate off button (1), the power tailgate will not open or close automatically.
WARNING
The chime will sound continuously if you drive over 2mph (3km/h) with the tailgate opened. Stop your vehicle at a safe place as soon as possible to check if your tailgate is opened.
WARNING
The chime will sound and the hazard warning flasher will blink 10 times if you drive with the tailgate closed but not fully secured. Stop your vehicle immediately at a safe place to check if your tailgate is securely locked.
✽ NOTICE
- The power tailgate can be operated when the engine is not running. However the power tailgate operation consumes large amounts of vehicle electric power. To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not operate it excessively e.g.: more than approximately 10 times repeatedly.
- To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the power tailgate in the open position for a long time.
- Do not modify or repair any part of the power tailgate by yourself. This must be done by an authorized Kia dealer.
- When jacking up the vehicle to change a tire or repair the vehicle, do not operate the power tailgate. This could cause the power tailgate to operate improperly.
- In cold and wet climates, the power tailgate may not work properly due to freezing conditions.
- It is recommended to wait until the power tailgate is fully closed before starting the vehicle. The power tailgate may not close fully if the vehicle is started during automatic closing.
Automatic reversal
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During power opening and closing if the power tailgate is blocked by an object or part of the body, the power tailgate will detect the resistance.
- If the resistance is detected while opening the tailgate, it will stop and move in the opposite direction.
- If the resistance is detected while closing the tailgate, it will stop and move in the opposite direction. However, if the resistance is weak such as from an object that is thin or soft, or the tailgate is near the latched position, the automatic stop and reversal may not detect the resistance.
If the automatic reversal feature operates continuously more than twice during opening or closing operation, the power tailgate may stop at that position. At this time, close the tailgate manually and operate the tailgate automatically again.
WARNING
Never place any object or part of your body in the path of the power tailgate as it is operating. Doing so could result in personal injury or damage to the vehicle.
How to reset the power tailgate
If the battery has been discharged or disconnected, or if the related fuse has been replaced or disconnected, for the power tailgate to operate normally, reset the power tailgate as follows:
1. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
2. Press the tailgate handle switch and tailgate close button at the same time for more than 3 seconds. (the chime will sound).
3. Close the tailgate manually.
4. Open the tailgate using the tailgate handle switch and allow it to fully open.
5. After fully opening, the tailgate will complete initialization and lights will flash twice indicating reset complete.
If the power tailgate does not work properly after the above procedure, have the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.
✽ NOTICE
If the power tailgate does not operate normally, first check the following condition before using the power tailgate.
- Make sure the shift lever is in Park
- Make sure the Power Tailgate Off switch is not pressed.
If any of the power tailgate buttons are pressed while the power tailgate is in operation, the power tailgate will stop. If any button is pressed again the power tailgate will reverse direction.
Power tailgate opening height user setting
The driver may set the height of a fully opened tailgate by following the below instruction.
1. Position the tailgate manually to the height you prefer.
2. Press the tailgate close button for more than 3 seconds.
3.You will hear the system beep twice indicating height has been set up.
The tailgate will open to the height the driver has set up.
Emergency tailgate safety release
Your vehicle is equipped with an emergency tailgate safety release lever located on the bottom of the tailgate. When someone is inadvertently locked in the cargo area, the tailgate can be opened by pushing the release lever and pushing open the tailgate.
WARNING
- For emergencies, be fully aware of the location of the emergency tailgate safety release lever in the vehicle and how to open the tailgate if you are accidentally locked in the cargo area.
- No one should be allowed to occupy the cargo area of the vehicle at any time. The cargo area is a very dangerous location in the event of a crash.
- Use the release lever for emergencies only. Use with extreme caution, especially while the vehicle is in motion.
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