What Do Kia Warning Lights & Symbols Mean?

Janesville Kia Janesville WI

Kia vehicles are backed by an industry-best 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. However, you might see one or more Kia warning lights and symbols illuminating your dashboard. These Kia dashboard lights typically indicate something needs to be taken care of sooner rather than later. If you’re curious about what a Kia malfunction indicator light might mean with your Kia, our guide from our Janesville dealership sheds some light on the subject.

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How Many Kia Warning Lights & Symbols Are There?

There might be as many as 29 Kia dashboard lights. That’s why it’s good to know the difference between a light that indicates an active feature and a critical maintenance concern like a Kia check engine light, among the many Kia warning lights and symbols.

Your Kia TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) light may pop on, meaning one of your tires is not inflated. Your Kia Check Engine light could illuminate, meaning it’s time to take your vehicle to our service center near Rockford. Read on if you want to know more about these Kia dashboard lights and their meanings! You can also check your owner’s manual or schedule service with our team.

Kia Dashboard Lights & Meanings

Many of the Kia dashboard lights and their meanings are no cause for alarm and just relay information to you. When your cruise control is active, or your high beams are on, you may see a symbol in the dash that informs you that these items are active. Distinguishing between a Kia malfunction indicator light and a system engagement light is crucial for peace of mind on the Beloit streets.

While many Kia dashboard lights show you what systems are active, other Kia warning lights and symbols might indicate a severe issue. If you see a Kia malfunction indicator light with an exclamation and triangle, your Master Warning light has been tripped. This means two or more systems have issues: washer fluid, TPMS, Blind Spot Detection (BSD), or your fuel cap is open.

Along with the Master Warning light, some of the most essential Kia dashboard lights to be aware of include:

  • Kia Malfunction Indicator Light: Commonly known as a Kia check engine light, this symbol means an emission issue or some other engine problem has been detected. Take your Kia in for maintenance ASAP!
  • Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light: This light will alert you promptly when your engine oil is not at the right pressure. Proper oil volume is critical in preventing overheating and engine damage. More oil should be added as soon as possible. If this problem continues, schedule service with our team ASAP!
  • Electric Power Steering (EPS) Warning Light: If this light comes on or you notice an extreme amount of effort is needed to make steering corrections, your power steering system has malfunctioned. It could also indicate that your serpentine belt broke, especially if the battery light is also on.
  • ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) Warning Light: If your ABS system is in disrepair, you will see ABS surrounded by a circle and parentheses. This means that your braking system, critical for safe navigation, needs to be examined. Again, bring your Kia in for service soon.
  • TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) Malfunction Indicator: When the horseshoe-type symbol with an exclamation mark in the middle turns on, your tire pressure gets low. If this symbol flashes when you start your Kia, the system has detected a malfunction and cannot accurately gauge tire pressure. Tires are vital to your safety, handling, and the vehicle’s performance.
  • while driving, your airbag system has detected a malfunction. Have your vehicle looked at right away to maintain optimal safety. The airbag light will blink briefly when your Kia engine comes on to indicate the system is active.
  • Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light: If this indicator comes on and stays lit in red, your engine is likely overheating. Pull over as soon as it is safe and do not continue to drive. An overheating vehicle can be quite dangerous. Reach out to our team or call a tow truck for assistance if you end up stuck on the road.

While there are many more Kia warning lights and symbols to be aware of, this list showcases the most important Kia malfunction indicator lights. If you are cruising through Madison and see a light in your dash that raises concern, our team is happy to take a look!

Schedule Expert Kia Service at Janesville Kia

If you see a serious Kia malfunction indicator light in your dash, schedule service right away. Our service team will diagnose the problem and have you back on the road in no time. Make sure to take advantage of our service specials to save some money on your service.