Kia Optima 2017, Owner'S Manual, Page: 141 / 776

STEERING WHEEL
Electric power steering
Power steering uses the motor to as‐
sist you in steering the vehicle. If the
engine is off or if the power steering
system becomes inoperative, the vehi‐
cle may still be steered, but it will re‐
quire increased steering effort.
The motor driven power steering is
controlled by the power steering con‐
trol unit which senses the steering
wheel torque and vehicle speed to com‐
mand the motor.
The steering effort becomes heavier as
the vehicle s speed increases and be‐
comes lighter as the vehicle s speed de‐
creases for better control of the steer‐
ing wheel.
Should you notice any change in the ef‐
fort required to steer during normal ve‐
hicle operation, we recommend that
the system be checked by an author‐
ized Kia dealer.
NOTICE
The following symptoms may occur
during normal vehicle operation:
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• The EPS warning light does not il‐
luminate.
• The steering effort is high imme‐
diately after turning the ignition
switch on. This happens as the
EPS system performs the diag‐
nostics. When the diagnostics is
completed, the steering effort will
return to its normal condition.
• A click noise may be heard from
the EPS relay after the ignition
switch is turned to the ON or LOCK
position.
• Motor noise may be heard when
the vehicle is at a stop or at a low
driving speed.
• The steering effort can suddenly
increase, if the operation of the
EPS system is stopped to prevent
serious accidents when EPS con‐
trol unit detects malfunction of
the EPS system by self-diagnosis.
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• The steering effort increases if
the steering wheel is rotated con‐
tinuously when the vehicle is not
in motion. However, after a few
minutes, it will return to its normal
conditions.
• If the Electronic Power Steering
System does not operate normal‐
ly, the warning light will illuminate
on the instrument cluster. The
steering wheel may become diffi‐
cult to control or operate abnor‐
mally. We recommend that you
contact an authorized Kia dealer.
• When you operate the steering
wheel in low temperature, abnor‐
mal noise could occur. If tempera‐
ture rises, the noise will disappear.
This is a normal condition.
Tilt & telescopic steering
A tilt and telescopic steering wheel al‐
lows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can also raise it
to give your legs more room when you
exit and enter the vehicle.
4-51
4
Featur
es of your v
ehicle