Alert indicators when towing

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RuthHimmic
Senior
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2022 11:10 am

Having acquired a 2025 Sorento 4 for towing my caravan, I understand that several Driver Assistance Aids (such as lane guidance and forward collision warning) are disabled upon connecting the caravan's 13-pin electrical cable. However, I am also experiencing warning lights on my dashboard. Can anyone confirm whether this is typical or indicative of a wiring issue?
No warning lights are present when the caravan is disconnected.
Appreciative of any feedback
85KillallRU
Senior
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2021 9:28 pm

You do not specify which warning lights are on, but I would not anticipate any when connected. Was the tow bar equipped with a Kia wire harness for towing purposes?
RuthHimmic
Senior
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2022 11:10 am

Greetings, the tow bar was installed by KIA upon the new car's order. The warning lights displayed on my dashboard are for Forward Collision Warning and Lane Guidance; neither is visible when the caravan is not connected.
85KillallRU
Senior
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2021 9:28 pm

The tow bar on our Sportage was installed by Kia, and I am not receiving any warning signals. It is unfortunate that no one else has replied; I believe a follow-up with the dealer is necessary.
85KillallRU
Senior
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2021 9:28 pm

I wonder if the Forward Collision Warning and Lane Follow Assist systems are disabled when a caravan is mounted for safety when towing.
Based on my experience, Lane Follow Assist is undesirable when towing, as it continuously makes micro-adjustments that the caravan takes milliseconds to respond to, so initiating snaking. I deactivate Lane Follow Assist in the settings and disable Lane Keep Assist on every journey. I have not disabled Forward Collision Warning; but, we have not seen a scenario while towing that would likely trigger it.
It may be intended to alert you that certain systems are inactive.
shamaspoor
Moderator
Posts: 107
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2021 4:00 pm

A new requirement for the 2025 model may be mandated by EU regulations to alert the driver when towing that the assistance features are disabled.

The owner's handbook may contain the information; however, updates are not always timely, resulting in vehicles being shipped with outdated manuals. My 2016 Soul EV manual is replete with information pertaining to internal combustion engine systems, with electric vehicle-specific content appended at the beginning in a new section.


Consult the manual initially, then reach out to Kia if the information is not provided; however, be advised that a satisfactory response may be unlikely. I contacted them with a technical inquiry two weeks ago, and the technical staff deviated into an unrelated subject, rendering their assistance ineffective. Ultimately, they suggested bringing the vehicle in and incurring substantial costs for a diagnostic scan, despite my repeated clarifications that the issue pertained to an adapter, not the vehicle itself.
RuthHimmic
Senior
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2022 11:10 am

Thank you for your responses. I have communicated with the KIA supplying dealer, who is uninformed, and I have emailed KIA customer service, who also lacks information and recommended that I reach out to the dealer.
No reference in the KIA handbook, hence no progress made. Thank you one more.
shamaspoor
Moderator
Posts: 107
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2021 4:00 pm

I was correct in asserting that they would be as helpful as a chocolate teapot.
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