While updating our Kia dashboard symbols page, we came across something strange, or so it seemed initially. The EV 6 model uses a diesel engine glow plug indicator! Well this made absolutely no sense!
However, digging deeper it turns out that the light is actually used to indicate that the electric vehicle’s (EV’s) high voltage battery is being conditioned.
Diesel engines require heat in the cylinders to operate, which is supplied initially by glow plugs when the engine is cold, conditioning the cylinders. This indicator will be illuminated when the ignition is turned on until the plugs are heated sufficiently to start the engine. The engine simply won’t start until then.
Battery conditioning is essentially the same process, hence the recycled indicator. Conditioning warms a cold battery to allow it to accept a charge more quickly.
And kudos to Kia for finding an appropriate indicator for the process and not simply adding to the already bloated pile. The image looks like a coil or loops in a yellow/amber/orange color.
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
So we spotted a post on “X” recently titled “12 Reasons NOT to buy an EV” (electric vehicle), which leave internal combustion engine (ICE) powered cars as the only alternatives. We thought we’d have a look at it point by point.
The 12 Reasons Each With a Counterpoint
1) Purchase cost is way higher.
– Not true. Expensive models get the most press, and there are many of them, but there are some very, very affordable EVs. We’re not going to point to any manufacturers (we’re not in sales), just do some homework. And that statement completely ignores cost of ownership, which goes to EVs hands down. If cost of ownership is a foreign concept, its homework time again…
2) Depreciation is massive.
– There is some truth here, but it is massively overstated. In further truth, its too early to fully determine. The industry remains in infancy, prices are coming down thus lowering pre-owned EV prices.
3) The Batteries cannot be recycled on a commercial scale.
– Partly true. They can be recycled at scale, but this is still being ramped up. The mineral value is driving this.
4) The performance claims are grossly exaggerated.
– If this is a reference to speed, this is flat out wrong. If its a reference to range, its partially true. Most manufacturers are pretty conservative with range estimates. Consumer Reports data confirms this.
5) They carry no spare wheel so to reduce weight.
– This is actually true, but across the entire automotive industry. All vehicles, ICE and EV, are transitioning to refill kits rather than spare tires, again to reduce weight. Not all flat tires can be re-inflated so we’ll take this opportunity to tell the industry to ensure that at least a donut is available in all vehicles!
6) You can’t charge them from a flat or a house without a drive.
– Somewhat true, but a solvable problem. I live in a “flat” (apartment) and it has four Level 2 charging stations available and a charge port can be placed along the road in most cases at private homes that lack a drive(way).
7) Charging points are not ubiquitous enough to journey with confidence.
– Again somewhat true. More charge stations would be better, but planning can accommodate the vast majority (journeys) trips with the stations currently available.
8) Batteries that catch fire cannot be extinguished without plunging the whole car into a skip-full of water.
– This is actually true. However, fires (not to mention explosions) are far, far more common with the rolling bombs more generally known as ICE vehicles. Any EV fire gets so much attention that perception becomes skewed. Its actually very difficult to get an EV battery to burn.
9) Existing car parks are not designed to cope with the 50% higher weight. – Sooo many things wrong with this. EVs are heavier, yes, but an EV of about equal size is only 15% heavier, not 50% (Camry vs Model 3)! Further, large SUVs (Escalade 7,700 lbs.) are actually heavier (25%) than most electric powered SUVs (Model X, 6,200 lbs))! Now there are hints that the writer of the piece is from Europe, where cars are generally smaller, but we don’t believe for a minute that car parks built anywhere are built to the lowest possible standards.
10) The time to queue and charge an EV is magnitudes of filling a petrol tank.
– This is true, but can an ICE vehicle be refilled at home??
11) The environmental damage of extracting minerals and making batteries is more than using fossil fuels.
– This is just flat out wrong and propaganda. Oil must be extracted as well.
12) Insuring EVs is massively higher than petrol/diesel vehicles.
– We have not found this to be the case, but in truth Tesla started its own insurance division because of high prices in some regions. We believe this is levelling out as EVs become ubiquitous.
And finally, a few of points in favor of EVs.
Regaining “fuel” while slowing down (try that in an ICE vehicle).
And that process (regeneration) will make your brakes last 100,000 miles or more!
Peace and quiet!
Far, far fewer moving parts to fail or require maintenance!
No more oil changes!
No more gasoline/diesel fumes to inhale while refilling!
And on, and on, and on…
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
These are Diesel Exhaust Brake Indicator symbols. One of the indicators will be seen when the Diesel Exhaust Brake has been activated and is in full strength mode (first image) or in Automatic (AUTO) mode (second image). The appearance is that of a less than sign or a sideways V with wavy lines at one end, all inside a circle inside brackets. The latter is a standard part of many symbols associated with brakes.
Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
The exhaust brake feature will function when the driver toggles it on by pushing the exhaust brake button until the indicator is seen. Normal (Full Strength) exhaust brake mode is indicated by the yellow/amber Exhaust Brake Indicator.
Turned Off
Automatic or Smart Exhaust Brake can be enabled by pushing the exhaust brake button again anytime after the normal Full Exhaust Brake has been turned on. The Exhaust Brake Indicator will change from yellow/amber to green when Automatic Smart Exhaust Brake is enabled. Pushing the exhaust brake button again will toggle the exhaust brake mode to off.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Glow plug indicator
Glow plug indicator
And kudos to Kia for finding an appropriate indicator for the process and not simply adding to the already bloated pile. The image looks like a coil or loops in a yellow/amber/orange color.
These are Diesel Exhaust Brake Indicator 
Automatic or Smart Exhaust Brake can be enabled by pushing the exhaust brake button again anytime after the normal Full Exhaust Brake has been turned on. The Exhaust Brake Indicator will change from
To EV or Not to EV…
Reasons NOT to by an EV Debunked
The 12 Reasons Each With a Counterpoint
1) Purchase cost is way higher.
– Not true. Expensive models get the most press, and there are many of them, but there are some very, very affordable EVs. We’re not going to point to any manufacturers (we’re not in sales), just do some homework. And that statement completely ignores cost of ownership, which goes to EVs hands down. If cost of ownership is a foreign concept, its homework time again…
2) Depreciation is massive.
– There is some truth here, but it is massively overstated. In further truth, its too early to fully determine. The industry remains in infancy, prices are coming down thus lowering pre-owned EV prices.
3) The Batteries cannot be recycled on a commercial scale.
– Partly true. They can be recycled at scale, but this is still being ramped up. The mineral value is driving this.
4) The performance claims are grossly exaggerated.
– If this is a reference to speed, this is flat out wrong. If its a reference to range, its partially true. Most manufacturers are pretty conservative with range estimates. Consumer Reports data confirms this.
5) They carry no spare wheel so to reduce weight.
– This is actually true, but across the entire automotive industry. All vehicles, ICE and EV, are transitioning to refill kits rather than spare tires, again to reduce weight. Not all flat tires can be re-inflated so we’ll take this opportunity to tell the industry to ensure that at least a donut is available in all vehicles!
6) You can’t charge them from a flat or a house without a drive.
– Somewhat true, but a solvable problem. I live in a “flat” (apartment) and it has four Level 2 charging stations available and a charge port can be placed along the road in most cases at private homes that lack a drive(way).
7) Charging points are not ubiquitous enough to journey with confidence.
– Again somewhat true. More charge stations would be better, but planning can accommodate the vast majority (journeys) trips with the stations currently available.
8) Batteries that catch fire cannot be extinguished without plunging the whole car into a skip-full of water.
– This is actually true. However, fires (not to mention explosions) are far, far more common with the rolling bombs more generally known as ICE vehicles. Any EV fire gets so much attention that perception becomes skewed. Its actually very difficult to get an EV battery to burn.
9) Existing car parks are not designed to cope with the 50% higher weight.
– Sooo many things wrong with this. EVs are heavier, yes, but an EV of about equal size is only 15% heavier, not 50% (Camry vs Model 3)! Further, large SUVs (Escalade 7,700 lbs.) are actually heavier (25%) than most electric powered SUVs (Model X, 6,200 lbs))! Now there are hints that the writer of the piece is from Europe, where cars are generally smaller, but we don’t believe for a minute that car parks built anywhere are built to the lowest possible standards.
10) The time to queue and charge an EV is magnitudes of filling a petrol tank.
– This is true, but can an ICE vehicle be refilled at home??
11) The environmental damage of extracting minerals and making batteries is more than using fossil fuels.
– This is just flat out wrong and propaganda. Oil must be extracted as well.
12) Insuring EVs is massively higher than petrol/diesel vehicles.
– We have not found this to be the case, but in truth Tesla started its own insurance division because of high prices in some regions. We believe this is levelling out as EVs become ubiquitous.
And finally, a few of points in favor of EVs.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY