I have a 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid and I noticed the gauge for heat is moving between the center and a mark in the picture. Is that a sign there’s a problem? Could it mean the battery is failing or is it just normal operation? Thanks
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That’s not a heat level; it shows the voltage. So maybe there is a problem? I can’t tell if your car is malfunctions or if it’s normal, or if your gauge is wrong or something else is happening.
Bennett said:
That’s not a heat level; it shows the voltage. So maybe there is a problem? I can’t tell if your car is malfunctions or if it’s normal, or if your gauge is wrong or something else is happening.
Thanks for the info. This is my first hybrid, so I thought it was measuring the battery temperature!
@Ellington
With temperature readings, usually you have C or F to indicate the scale.
Addison said:
@Ellington
With temperature readings, usually you have C or F to indicate the scale.
Not always. Some just have a marker for too hot. See my 2004 Sienna.
Addison said:
@Ellington
With temperature readings, usually you have C or F to indicate the scale.
Many vehicles have a simple cold to hot scale for different things.
Addison said:
@Ellington
With temperature readings, usually you have C or F to indicate the scale.
My car’s temperature gauge shows a K.
Addison said:
@Ellington
With temperature readings, usually you have C or F to indicate the scale.
My car’s temperature gauge shows a K.
What car is that?
Bennett said:
That’s not a heat level; it shows the voltage. So maybe there is a problem? I can’t tell if your car is malfunctions or if it’s normal, or if your gauge is wrong or something else is happening.
Could it be something like a fuel gauge since it’s a hybrid? Like, showing how much battery is left? Low battery is like an empty fuel tank, and a full battery is like a full tank?
@Darwin
I don’t think hybrids would show the battery level so clearly since they just charge the battery with the engine instead of telling you it’s low. But I do agree about the owner’s manual.
I looked it up. Here’s page 27.
Hybrids probably wouldn’t show a battery gauge so openly since they use the engine for charging the battery instead of showing when it’s low.
Actually, that’s exactly what it is according to the 2018 Kia Hybrid’s User Manual: Battery State of Charge gauge. The manual says this gauge shows the remaining hybrid battery power. If the SOC is close to the ‘L (Low)’ level, the vehicle automatically turns on the engine to charge the battery.
Source: Page 4-51 and 4-54 from the 2018 Kia HEV & PHEV User Manual (page 181 & 184 of this PDF)
@Darwin
I didn’t see your update, did I? I checked it and corrected myself.
Bennett said:
@Darwin
I didn’t see your update, did I? I checked it and corrected myself.
I was doing my own research and typing my response. Wow…
Look up your owner’s manual online. You might find a clearer answer there than here.
Plus, it sounds like you may not know your car well and should consider reading the manual.
Not trying to be rude, just knowing the basic functions of your car helps a lot.
That gauge is weird and can be misleading, so check your owner’s manual.
Check the documentation to see what this is for: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10151897-9999.pdf
Drew said:
Check the documentation to see what this is for: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10151897-9999.pdf
Got it. I think I’ve been driving downhill! Thanks.
@Ellington
According to that technical bulletin, lots of regenerative braking can cause this high charge level. If you have adaptive regeneration and do a lot of downhill driving, maybe reducing that will help.
It’s likely just a charge level indicator for the electric powertrain.