Kia Soul: Driving your vehicle / BCW (Blind-Spot Collision Warning) (if equipped)

Operating conditions

The indicator on the switch will illuminate when the BCW button is pressed with the engine start/stop button ON. If the vehicle speed exceeds 30 km/h (18.6 mph), the system will activate. If you press the button again, the switch indicator and system will be turned off.

If the engine start/stop button is turned OFF and ON the system returns to the previous state.

When the system is not used turn the system off by pressing the switch. When the system is turned on the warning light will illuminate for 3 seconds on the outside rearview mirror.

• The driver can activate the system by placing the engine start/stop button to the ON position and by selecting "User Settings Driver assistance Blind-spot safety".
  - BCW turns on and gets ready to be activated when 'Warning only' is selected. Then, if a vehicle approaches the driver's blind spot area a warning sounds.
  - The system is deactivated and the indicator on the BCW button is extinguished when 'Off‘ is selected.
• If you press BCW button while 'Warning only' is selected the indicator on the button extinguishes and the system deactivates.
• If you press BCW button while the system is cancelled the indicator on the button illuminates and the system activates. In this case, the system returns to the state before the vehicle turned off.

Warning type

The system will activate when:

1. The system is on

2. Vehicle speed is above 30 km/h (18.6 mph)

3. Other vehicles are detected in the rear side

WARNING

• Always check the road condition while driving for unexpected situations even though Blind-Spot Collision Warning system is operating.
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning system is a supplemental system to assist you. Do not entirely rely on the system. Always pay attention, while driving, for your safety.
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning system is not a substitute for proper and safe driving. Always drive safely and use caution when changing lanes or backing the vehicle up. Blind-Spot Collision Warning system may not detect every object alongside the vehicle.

If a vehicle is detected within the boundary of the system, a warning light will illuminate on the outside rearview mirror.

If the detected vehicle is not in detection range, the warning will be turned off.

The second stage alarm will activate when:

1. The first stage alert is on

2. The turn signal is on to change a lane

When the second stage alert is activated, a warning light will be blinking on the outside rearview mirror and an alarm will sound.

If you move the turn signal switch to origin position, the second stage alert will be deactivated.

CAUTION

The alarm function helps alert the driver. Deactivate this function only when it is necessary.

WARNING

• The warning light on the outside rearview mirror will illuminate whenever a vehicle is detected at the rear side by the system. To avoid accidents, do not focus only on the warning light and neglect to see the surrounding of the vehicle.
• Drive safely even though the vehicle is equipped with Blind-Spot Collision Warning system. Do not solely rely on the system but check your surrounding before changing lanes or backing the vehicle up.
• The system may not alert the driver in some conditions so always check your surroundings while driving.

CAUTION

• The driver should always use extreme caution while operating the vehicle, whether or not the warning light on the outside rearview mirror illuminates or there is a warning alarm.
• Playing the vehicle audio system at high volume may offset the Blind-Spot Collision Warning System warning sounds.
• The warning of the Blind-Spot Collision Warning System may not sound while other system's warning sounds.

Detecting sensor

The sensors are located inside the rear bumper.

Always keep the rear bumper clean for the system to work properly.

CAUTION

• The system may not work properly when the bumper has been damaged, or if the rear bumper has been replaced or repaired.
• The sensing range differs somewhat according to the width of the road. When the road is narrow, the system may detect other vehicles in the next lane.
• The system may turn off due to strong electromagnetic waves.
• Always keep the sensors clean.
• NEVER arbitrarily disassemble the sensor component nor apply any impact on the sensor component.
• Be careful not to apply unnecessary force on the radar sensor or sensor cover. If the sensor is forcibly moved out of proper alignment, the system may not operate correctly. In this case, a warning message may not be displayed. Take your vehicle to a professional workshop and have the system checked. Kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
• Do not apply foreign objects such as a bumper sticker or a bumper guard near the radar sensor or apply paint to the sensor area. Doing so may adversely affect the performance of the sensor.

Warning message

The message will appear to notify the driver if there are foreign substances on the surface or inside the rear bumper or it is hot near the rear bumper. The light on the switch and the system will be turned off automatically.

Remove the foreign substance on the rear bumper.

After the foreign substance is removed, if you drive for approximately 10 minutes, the system will work normally. If the system does not work normally even though the foreign substance, trailer or carrier, or other equipment is removed, take your vehicle to a professional workshop and have the system checked. Kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.

It is possible to get the message with no foreign substance on the rear bumper, for example, when driving in sparse rural or open area, such as desert, where there is insufficient data for operation.

This message may also activate during heavy rain or due to road spray. In this case, the vehicle does not need service.

When the cargo area or other equipment is being used, turn all functions of the system [OFF].

If the system does not work properly, a warning message will appear and the light on the switch will turn off.The system will turn off automatically.

In this case, have the system checked by a professional workshop. Kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/ service partner.

Limitations of the system

The driver must be cautious in the below situations, because the system may not detect other vehicles or objects in certain circumstances.

• When a trailer or carrier is installed.
• The vehicle drives in inclement weather such as heavy rain or snow.
• The sensor is polluted with rain, snow, mud, etc.
• The rear bumper where the sensor is located is covered with a foreign object such as a bumper sticker, a bumper guard, a bike rack, etc.
• The rear bumper is damaged, or the sensor is out of the original default position.
• The vehicle height gets lower or higher due to heavy loading in a trunk, abnormal tire pressure, etc.
• When the temperature of the rear bumper is high.
• When the sensors are blocked by other vehicles, walls or parking-lot pillars.
• The vehicle drives on a curved road.
• The vehicle drives through a tollgate.
• The road pavement (or the peripheral ground) abnormally contains metallic components (i.e. possibly due to subway construction).
• There is a fixed object near the vehicle, such as a guardrail.
• While going down or up a steep road where the height of the lane is different.
• Driving on a narrow road where trees or grass or overgrown.
• Driving in rural areas where the sensor does not detect another vehicle or structure for an extended period of time.
• Driving on a wet road.
• Driving on a road where the guardrail or wall is in double structure.
• A big vehicle is near such as a bus or truck.
• When the other vehicle approaches very close.
• When the other vehicle passes at a very fast speed.
• While changing lanes.
• If the vehicle has started at the same time as the vehicle next to you and has accelerated.
• When the vehicle in the next lane moves two lanes away from you OR when the vehicle two lanes away moves to the next lane from you.
• A motorcycle or bicycle is near.
• A flat trailer is near.
• If there are small objects in the detecting area such as a shopping cart or a baby stroller.
• If there is a low height vehicle such as a sports car.
• The brake pedal is depressed.
• ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is activated.
• ESC (Electronic Stability Control) malfunctions.
• The tire pressure is low or a tire is damaged.
• The brake is reworked.
• The vehicle abruptly changes driving direction.
• The vehicle makes sharp lane changes.
• The vehicle sharply stops.
• Temperature is extremely low around the vehicle.
• The vehicle severely vibrates while driving over a bumpy road, uneven/ bumpy road, or concrete patch.
• The vehicle drives on a slippery surface due to snow, water puddle, or ice.
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) or Lane Departure Warning (LDW) do not operate normally. (if equipped) For more information refer to “Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) system” on page 6-99.

• Driving on a curve

BCW systems may not operate properly when driving on a curved road. In certain instances the system may not detect the vehicle in the next lane.

Always pay attention to road and driving conditions, while driving.

BCW systems may not operate properly when driving on a curved road. In certain instances the system may recognize a vehicle in the same lane. Always pay attention to road and driving conditions, while driving.

• Driving where the road is merging/ dividing

BCW systems may not operate properly when driving where the road is merging/dividing. In certain instances the system may not detect the vehicle in the next lane.

Always pay attention to road and driving conditions, while driving.

• Driving on a slope

BCW systems may not operate properly when driving on a slope. In certain instances the system may not detect the vehicle in the next lane. Also, in certain instances the system may wrongly recognize the ground or structures.

Always pay attention to road and driving conditions, while driving.

• Driving where the heights of the lanes are different

BCW systems may not operate properly when driving where the heights of the lanes are different.

In certain instances, the system may not detect the vehicle on a road with different lane heights (underpass joining section, grade separated intersections, etc.).

Always pay attention to road and driving conditions, while driving. [A] : noise barrier, [B] : guardrail

• Driving where there is a structure beside the road

BCW systems may not operate properly when driving where there is structure beside the road.

In certain instances, the system may wrongly recognize the structures (noise barriers, guardrail, double guardrail, median strip, bollard, street light, road sign, tunnel wall, etc.) beside the road.

Always pay attention to road and driving conditions, while driving.