Kia Sportage: Electronic stability control (ESC) / ESC operation

Kia Sportage QL (2015-2026) Owners Manual / Driving your vehicle / Brake system / Electronic stability control (ESC) / ESC operation

ESC ON condition

When the ignition is turned ON, ESC and ESC OFF indicator lights illuminate for approximately 3 seconds, then ESC is turned on.
Press the ESC OFF button for at least half a second after turning the ignition ON to turn ESC off. (ESC OFF indicator will illuminate). To turn the ESC on, press the ESC OFF button (ESC OFF indicator light will go off).
When starting the engine, you may hear a slight ticking sound. This is the ESC performing an automatic system self-check and does not indicate a problem.

When operating

When the ESC is in operation, the ESC indicator light blinks.

When the Electronic Stability Control is operating properly, you can feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle. This is only the effect of brake control and indicates nothing unusual.
When moving out of the mud or driving on a slippery road, pressing the accelerator pedal may not cause the engine rpm (revolutions per minute) to increase.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

The Electronic Stability control (ESC) system is designed to stabilize the vehicle during cornering maneuvers. ESC checks where you are steering and where the vehicle is actually going. ESC appl ...

ESC operation off

ESC OFF state This car has 2 kinds of ESC off states. If the engine stops when ESC is off, ESC remains off. Upon restarting the engine, the ESC will automatically turn on again. • ESC off sta ...

Other information:

Kia Sportage QL (2015-2026) Owners Manual: Snowy or icy conditions

To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it may be necessary to use snow tires or to install tire chains on your tires. If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to select tires equivalent in size and type of the original equipment tires. Failure to do so may adversely affect the safety and handlin ...

Kia Sportage QL (2015-2026) Owners Manual: Opening the hood

1. Pull the release lever to unlatch the hood. The hood should pop open slightly. Open the hood after turning off the engine on a flat surface, shifting the shift lever to the P (Park) position and setting the parking brake. 2. Go to the front of the vehicle, raise the hood slightly, push th ...