Kia niro 2023 Owner's Manual page 415

Maintenance
Operating precautions for cata-
lytic converters
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic
converter emission control device.
Therefore, the following precautions
must be observed:
僅 Make sure to refuel your vehicle
according to the "Fuel requirements"
on page 2-2.
僅 Do not operate the vehicle when there
are signs of engine malfunction, such
as misfire or a noticeable loss of per-
formance.
僅 Do not misuse or abuse the engine.
Examples of misuse are coasting with
the ignition off and descending steep
grades in gear with the ignition off.
僅 Do not operate the engine at high idle
speed for extended periods (5 min-
utes or more).
僅 Do not modify or tamper with any
part of the engine or emission control
system. All inspections and adjust-
ments must be made by a profes-
sional workshop. Kia recommends to
visit an authorized Kia dealer/service
center.
僅 Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
Failure to observe these precautions
could result in damage to the catalytic
converter and to your vehicle. Addition-
ally, such actions could void your war-
ranties.
WARNING
僅 A hot exhaust system can ignite flam-
mable items under your vehicle. Do
not park the vehicle over or near flam-
mable objects, such as grass, vegeta-
tion, paper, leaves, etc.
僅 The exhaust system and catalytic sys-
tem are very hot while the engine is
running or immediately after the
engine is turned off. Keep away from
the exhaust system and catalytic, you
may get burned.
Also, do not remove the heat sink
around the exhaust system, do not
seal the bottom of the vehicle or do
not coat the vehicle for corrosion con-
trol. It may present a fire risk under
certain conditions.
Gasoline particulate filter (if
equipped)
The Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) is
the system that removes the soot from
the exhaust gas. Unlike a disposable air
filter, the GPF system automatically
burns (oxidizes) and removes the accu-
mulated soot while driving.
However, repeated short-distance driv-
ing or long-distance driving at a low
speed can stop the accumulated soot
from automatically being removed by
the GPF system. If the accumulated soot
reaches a certain amount, the GPF
warning light ( ) will appear. To re-
operate the GPF system, the vehicle
should be driven for more than 30 min-
utes at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph)
and faster. Ensure the following condi-
tions are met: safe road conditions,
transmission 3rd gear or above, and
engine speed of 1,500~4,000 rpm. Driv-
ing at 80 km/h (50 mph) or faster for
recommended hours will get the GPF
system back to work and stop the GPF
warning light.
If the GPF warning light stays on or the
warning message (Check exhaust sys-
tem) pops up even after driving at rec-
Emission control system
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