Kia Seltos: Features of your vehicle / Power liftgate

Contents:

• Power liftgate operating conditions
• Operating the power liftgate
• Setting the power liftgate
• Resetting the power liftgate
• Emergency liftgate safety release

Power liftgate operating conditions

The Kia Seltos power liftgate operates when the gear is in P (Park) and the engine is running. When the engine is off, the power liftgate can operate regardless of the gear position. The liftgate can be opened only when the vehicle speed is below 1.8 mph (3 km/h).

Before opening or closing the Kia Seltos power liftgate, always make sure the vehicle is safely stopped and shifted to P (Park). This helps prevent unexpected movement and allows the liftgate system to operate correctly.

WARNING

• Never leave children, elderly passengers, or animals unattended inside your Kia Seltos. They may operate the power liftgate accidentally, which could cause injury to themselves or others, or damage the vehicle.

• Before using the power liftgate or smart liftgate, make sure there are no people, animals, or objects in the liftgate path. Serious injury, vehicle damage, or damage to nearby objects such as walls, ceilings, or other vehicles may occur if contact happens while the liftgate is moving.

  

• A liftgate covered with snow or fitted with heavy accessories, such as bike racks or ladders, may not open properly. If it is already open, it may close unexpectedly and injure anyone standing near the rear of the vehicle.

• Do not open the Kia Seltos liftgate when it is covered with snow or carrying heavy objects.

• Remove snow, ice, and heavy attachments before operating the power liftgate.

NOTICE

• Do not open or close the liftgate manually during normal power operation. Doing so may damage the Kia Seltos power liftgate system. If manual operation is necessary because the battery is discharged or disconnected, move the liftgate carefully and do not use excessive force.

• Do not operate the power liftgate more than 10 times continuously while the engine is not running. If you need to use the power liftgate repeatedly, run the engine to help prevent battery discharge.

• Do not leave the power liftgate open for a long period of time, as this may drain the vehicle battery.

• Do not apply excessive force while the power liftgate is operating. Extra force may damage the liftgate motor, hinges, or related components.

• Do not grab, pull, or hang on the liftgate support struts at any time. Damage or deformation of the support struts may cause vehicle damage and may also create a risk of personal injury.

  

• Do not modify, repair, or adjust any part of the power liftgate by yourself. Service and repairs should be performed by an authorized Kia dealer.

• Do not operate the power liftgate under the following conditions, because the system may not operate properly:

  • One side of the vehicle is lifted for inspection or tire replacement.

  • The vehicle is parked on an uneven road, slope, or unstable surface.

• Before using an automatic car wash, close the liftgate completely and lock all doors and the liftgate with the central door lock switch.

• Do not spray high-pressure water directly on the outside power liftgate open/close switch. The liftgate may open unintentionally.

NOTICE

• If the liftgate is not fully closed and the Kia Seltos speed is at or above 1.8 mph (3 km/h), a warning will sound 10 times. Park the vehicle immediately in a safe place, close the liftgate securely, and confirm that the liftgate open warning on the instrument cluster is turned off.

• In cold and wet weather, the outside power liftgate open/close switch may not work properly because of freezing conditions. Remove ice before using the outside switch, or use the power liftgate open/close button on the smart key or instrument panel.

• Operating the power liftgate more than 5 times continuously may overheat or damage the operating motor. To protect the motor, the Kia Seltos power liftgate may temporarily stop operating. If a power liftgate button is pressed during this protection mode, the chime will sound 3 times, but the liftgate will remain closed. Allow the system to cool for about 1 minute before operating it again.

Operating the power liftgate

Setting the power liftgate

To use each Kia Seltos power liftgate feature correctly, select the desired opening speed or opening height from the settings menu. If you do not want to use a specific feature, deselect it in the settings.

These settings allow the power liftgate to be adjusted for everyday convenience, such as lower garage ceilings, personal reach, or preferred operating speed.

Resetting the power liftgate

In some situations, the Kia Seltos power liftgate may need to be reset before it operates normally again. Resetting may be required in the following cases:

• When the 12-volt battery has been recharged.

• When the 12-volt battery has been reinstalled after removal or replacement.

• When the related fuse has been reinstalled after removal or replacement.

1. With the engine off or running, shift the gear to P (Park).

2. Press the power liftgate open/close inner button (1) and the outer switch (2) at the same time until a chime sounds.

3. Slowly close the liftgate manually. Do not use excessive force while moving the liftgate.

4. Press the power liftgate open/close outer switch. The power liftgate will open and a chime will sound.

   Wait until the liftgate fully opens to complete the reset. If the liftgate stops before it is completely open, the Kia Seltos power liftgate reset cannot be completed.

NOTICE

If the power liftgate does not operate properly after completing the procedure above, have the system inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Emergency liftgate safety release

To unlock and open the Kia Seltos liftgate manually from inside the luggage compartment, follow this procedure:

1. Insert a long, flat object, such as a key, into the opening at the bottom of the liftgate.

2. Slide the latch in the direction of the arrow (1) to unlock the liftgate.

3. Push the liftgate open carefully.

WARNING

• For emergencies, make sure you know the location of the emergency liftgate safety release latch in the Kia Seltos and understand how to open the liftgate if someone is accidentally locked in the luggage compartment.

• No person or animal should ever be allowed to stay in the luggage compartment of the vehicle. The luggage compartment is an extremely dangerous place during sudden braking or an accident.

• Use the release latch for emergencies only. Use extreme caution, especially if the vehicle is moving.