Kia Sportage: Immobilizer system - Knowing your vehicle - Kia Sportage Owner's ManualKia Sportage: Immobilizer system

Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic engine immobilizer system to reduce the risk of unauthorized vehicle use. Your immobilizer system is comprised of a small transponder in the ignition key, and antenna coil in the key cylinder and Immobilizer Control Unit (or Smartra Unit). With this system, whenever you insert your ignition key into the ignition switch and turn it to ON, the antenna coil in the ignition switch receives a signal from the transponder in the ignition key and then sends the signal to the ECU (Engine Control Unit). The ECU checks the signal whether the ignition key is valid. If the key is determined to be valid, the engine will start. If the key is determined to be invalid, the engine will not start. To deactivate the immobilizer system: Insert the ignition key into the key cylinder and turn it to the ON position. To activate the immobilizer system: Turn the ignition key to the OFF position. The immobilizer system activates automatically. Without a valid ignition key for your vehicle, the engine will not start.

WARNING In order to prevent theft of your vehicle, do not leave spare keys anywhere in your vehicle. Your Immobilizer password is a customer unique password and should be kept confidential. Do not leave this number anywhere in your vehicle.

NOTICE When starting the engine, do not use the key with other immobilizer keys around. Otherwise the engine may not start or may stop soon after it starts. Keep each key separately not to have any malfunction after you receive your new vehicle.

CAUTION Do not put metal accessories near the key or ignition switch. The engine may not start for the metal accessories may interrupt the transponder signal from normally transmitting.

Limp home (override) procedure When you turn the ignition key to the ON position, if the IMMO indicator goes off after blinking 5 times, your transponder equipped in the ignition key is out of order. You cannot start the engine without the lime home procedure. To start the engine, you have to input your password by using the ignition switch. The following procedure is how to input your password of “2345” as an example. 1. Turn the ignition key to the ON position. The IMMO indicator ( ) will blink 5 times and go off indicating the beginning of the limp home procedure. 2. Turn the ignition key to the ACC position. 3. To enter the first digit (in this example “2”), turn the ignition key to the ON and ACC position twice. Perform the same procedure for the next digits between 3 seconds and 10 seconds (for example, for “3”, turn the ignition ON and ACC 3 times). 4. If all of the digits have been input successfully, you have to start the engine within 30 seconds. If you attempt to start the engine after 30 seconds, the engine will not start and you will have to input your password again. After performing the limp home procedure, you have to see an authorized Kia dealer immediately to inspect and repair your ignition key or immobilizer system.

NOTICE If you cannot start your engine in spite of limp home procedure, have your vehicle towed by an authorized Kia dealer for inspection and necessary repairs.

NOTICE The transponder in your ignition key is an important part of the immobilizer system. It is designed to give years of troublefree service, however you should avoid exposure to moisture, static electricity and rough handling. Immobilizer system malfunction could occur.

NOTICE Do not change, alter or adjust the immobilizer system because it could cause the immobilizer system to malfunction and should only be serviced by an authorized Kia dealer. Malfunctions caused by improper alterations, adjustments or modifications to the immobilizer system are not covered by your vehicle manufacturer warranty.

This device complies with Industry Canada Standard RSS- 210. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

WARNING Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

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