Kia Telluride: Maintenance / Emission control system

The advanced emission control system integrated into your Kia Telluride is fully covered by a comprehensive written limited warranty. For complete details regarding coverage limits and owner obligations, please consult the official Warranty and Consumer Information manual located in your vehicle glove compartment.

Your Kia Telluride is meticulously engineered and equipped with a sophisticated emission control system designed to meet or exceed all applicable environmental and governmental regulations. To maintain optimal regulatory compliance, the architecture consists of three primary interconnected emission control subsystems:

1. Crankcase emission control system

2. Evaporative emission control system

3. Exhaust emission control system

To ensure the long-term, flawless functional performance of these vital emission control systems, always have your Kia Telluride professionally inspected, serviced, and maintained by an authorized Kia dealer in strict accordance with the recommended maintenance schedule detailed in this manual.

Caution for the Inspection and Maintenance Test (with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system)

• To prevent your Kia Telluride from experiencing engine misfiring during specialized dynamometer testing, turn OFF the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system by pressing the dedicated dashboard ESC switch.

• After the dynamometer diagnostic testing is fully completed, remember to turn the ESC system back on by pressing the ESC switch again to restore full active safety stability controls.

1. Crankcase emission control system

The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system integrated into your Kia Telluride effectively prevents atmospheric air pollution caused by the engine crankcase emitting harmful blow-by gases. This closed system continuously supplies fresh, filtered air directly into the engine crankcase through the dedicated air intake hose. Inside the sealed crankcase, this incoming fresh air mixes thoroughly with combustion blow-by gases, which are then safely drawn through the PCV valve back into the engine induction system to be re-burned cleanly.

2. Evaporative emission control (including Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR)) system

The advanced Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system engineered into your Kia Telluride prevents raw fuel vapors from escaping into the surrounding atmosphere. The ORVR system actively captures fuel vapors generated within the fuel tank during refueling operations at a commercial gas station, routing them directly into an activated carbon canister to stop vapor venting.

The onboard carbon canister absorbs and securely stores volatile fuel vapors generated inside the fuel tank of your Kia Telluride. When the engine is actively running, the fuel vapors safely trapped within the canister are drawn into the intake surge tank through the precision-controlled Purge Control Solenoid Valve (PCSV) for complete combustion.

The Engine Control Module (ECM) manages the operation of the PCSV. When the engine coolant temperature remains low while your Kia Telluride is idling, the PCSV closes tightly to ensure that unburned evaporated fuel is not prematurely drawn into the engine. After the engine warms up to normal operating temperature while you drive, the PCSV opens smoothly to introduce the stored evaporated fuel vapors into the running engine.

3. Exhaust emission control system

The exhaust emission control system installed on your Kia Telluride is a highly efficient engineering solution designed to strictly regulate and minimize exhaust emissions while maintaining exceptional vehicle performance, smooth acceleration, and optimal fuel economy.

Your Kia Telluride should never be altered with unauthorized aftermarket modifications. Modifying factory specifications could adversely affect vehicle performance, structural safety, or mechanical durability, and may even violate regional governmental safety and environmental emissions regulations. Any mechanical damage, electronic glitches, or performance issues resulting directly from unapproved modifications will not be covered under your manufacturer warranty.

Furthermore, utilizing unauthorized plug-in electronic devices or aftermarket accessories can cause abnormal vehicle operation, wiring harnesses damage, premature battery discharge, and even severe electrical fire hazards. For your personal safety and vehicle protection, never use unapproved electronic devices in your Kia Telluride.

• Carbon monoxide (CO) gas can be present alongside other toxic engine exhaust fumes. If you ever detect the distinct smell of exhaust fumes inside the cabin of your Kia Telluride, have the vehicle inspected and repaired immediately by professionals. If you suspect that hazardous exhaust fumes are entering your vehicle while driving, keep all windows fully open and proceed directly to an authorized service center.

  WARNING

  Exhaust

  Engine exhaust gases generated by your Kia Telluride contain carbon monoxide (CO). Although completely colorless and odorless, CO is extremely dangerous and can easily be lethal if inhaled in enclosed spaces. Always adhere strictly to the safety instructions outlined in this section to prevent fatal CO poisoning.

• Do not operate the engine of your Kia Telluride in a confined, poorly ventilated, or enclosed space (such as a residential garage) any longer than absolutely necessary to drive your vehicle in or out of the structure.

• When you stop your Kia Telluride in an open area for more than a brief period with the engine running, adjust the climate control ventilation system as needed to draw in fresh outside air rather than recirculating cabin air.

• Never sit inside a parked, idling, or stationary Kia Telluride for any extended period of time with the engine running.

• If the engine stalls unexpectedly or fails to start on the first try, excessive and repeated attempts to restart it can flood the cylinders and severely damage the sophisticated emission control system.

WARNING

WARNING

Your Kia Telluride is equipped with a high-efficiency catalytic converter emission control device designed to clean exhaust gases.

Take the following important operating precautions:

• Always use strictly UNLEADED FUEL for gasoline-powered engines in your Kia Telluride to prevent irreversible catalyst poisoning.

• Do not operate your Kia Telluride when there are clear signs of engine malfunction, such as persistent engine misfires, rough idling, or a noticeable loss of power and performance.

• Do not abuse or misuse the engine of your Kia Telluride. Examples of severe engine misuse include coasting down roadways with the ignition switch turned OFF and descending steep mountain grades while left in gear with the ignition OFF.

• Do not operate the engine at high stationary idle speeds for extended periods of time (5 continuous minutes or longer).

• Do not modify, tamper with, or alter any component of the engine or emission control architecture on your Kia Telluride. All technical inspections, adjustments, and repairs must be performed exclusively by an authorized Kia dealer.

• Avoid driving your Kia Telluride with an extremely low fuel level indicator active. Running completely out of fuel can cause severe engine misfiring, which dumps unburned fuel into the exhaust and can thermally melt or damage the catalytic converter.

Failure to observe these crucial operating precautions could result in catastrophic structural damage to the catalytic converter and other critical vehicle systems, which may permanently void your factory warranty.

The Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) system equipped on your Kia Telluride is engineered to capture and remove harmful soot particulates from the engine exhaust gas stream. Unlike a traditional disposable air filter, the advanced GPF system automatically burns off (oxidizes) and cleans away accumulated soot particles continuously while driving under normal conditions.

However, repeatedly driving short distances or undertaking prolonged low-speed urban commutes can prevent exhaust temperatures from rising high enough to naturally oxidize and burn away the accumulated soot within the GPF system. If the trapped soot reaches a critical mass threshold, the dedicated GPF warning light () will illuminate on your instrument cluster. To regenerate and re-operate the GPF system, your Kia Telluride should be driven continuously for more than 30 minutes at a steady cruising speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) or faster. Ensure that safe road conditions are met, select 3rd gear or above (or maintain an automatic transmission equivalent), and keep the engine speed within 1,500-4,000 rpm. Maintaining a steady speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) or higher for the recommended duration will successfully trigger active regeneration, clear the filter, and turn off the GPF warning light.

If the GPF warning light remains illuminated or a Check exhaust system message persists on your dashboard despite completing the recommended driving procedure, visit an authorized Kia dealer immediately. Constant driving with an active GPF warning light ignored can cause permanent structural damage to the GPF system and severely undermine your fuel economy.