Kia Sorento Auto Hold Won’t Turn Off—What To Do?

If you own a Kia Sorento, you have certainly enjoyed its features as you drive. The automatic transmission makes operating your vehicle that much easier. However, what happens if your car's auto-hold won't turn off? Well, we've done plenty of research and have the answer here for you.

If your Kia Sorento's auto-hold feature doesn't turn off, there are a few things to try. First, we recommend pressing the button on your center console. Another way to fix this is to turn off your vehicle's electric parking brake.

Read this post and get some tips on learning more about the features of your Sorento. Once you know all the features of your vehicle, you will surely have a safe driving experience. With that said, let's dive right into this topic!

Modern central console with steering heating controls, Kia Sorento Auto Hold Won't Turn Off - What To Do?

 

Getting To Know The Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento came out in 2002. This lineup also started as a compact SUV. According to manufacturers, the first-generation design takes inspiration from a construction-type truck. It was available in both manual and automatic transmission.

Furthermore, in 2009 the Sorento became a certified SUV. It can seat a maximum of seven people. The latest model is available as automatic transmission. The size of Sorento is suited for families since it also has safety features for young passengers.

The latest Sorento is available in Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid. The Hybrid model runs on a combination of gas engines and electric power. The Plug-In Hybrid model offers more legroom compared with other electric cars. Its charging time is a little over three hours.

Kia sorento with it's elegant roof rails

What Does The Auto Hold Feature On A Kia Sorento Do?

The auto-hold on a Kia Sorento is one of the features that can help you drive safer. It started as an option for the 2019 Sorento lineup and has become standard. There are also select Kia vehicles with auto hold. Your car will have both auto hold and an electric parking brake.

When you activate auto hold, the car will not move even if you do not step on the brake. You can take your foot off the brake and give it a rest. To get the car to move again, press the accelerator gently. According to reviews, the auto hold allows the vehicle not to move for about ten minutes.

Additionally, this feature is beneficial to prevent the car from moving, especially if you are on an inclined road. With auto hold, you will not worry that your vehicle will roll down when you are at a standstill.

Start stop engine button and automatic transmission display

How To Turn On Auto Hold

You can find the 'Auto Hold' button on the center console. It is the button on the left of the electronic parking brake. The auto-hold will light up in white on the screen panel when you press the button. When you are in drive mode and stop, you will see that the light changes to green.

You can remove your foot off the brake when it is in green.

Car enthusiasts recommend that you put a considerable distance to the vehicles next to you. So when you release the auto hold, you will not bump into one another.

How To Turn Off Auto Hold

If you want to turn off this feature, you can press the auto hold button. You will notice that the light will go off on the screen panel. This method works if you are in drive mode.

Meanwhile, if the car is not moving, you can turn off the auto-hold by stepping on the brake and pressing the auto hold button on the console.

Why Won't The Auto Hold Feature Turn Off In My Kia Sorento?

Imagine that you want to turn off the auto-hold feature in your Sorento, but it won't work. What are the steps you can take to solve this problem? Well, first you can try turning off the electric parking brake.

Generally, you always want to monitor the auto-hold indicator lights. If the light turns yellow, it means that the feature has a malfunction. Your last option would be to bring your car to the mechanic to see if parts need replacement.

Troubleshooting The Auto Hold Feature

Now that you know how to turn off auto hold, you might wonder why you can't turn on this feature. Here are the possible reasons:

  • Unfastened driver's seat
  • Driver door is open
  • The engine hood is open
  • Your car's trunk is open
  • The vehicle is in park
  • Your car hasn't moved in ten minutes

What Is The Difference Between Auto Hold And Hill Park Assist?

Interior design of new auto

When you are on an inclined road, the hill park assist will prevent the car from rolling backward when you shift from brake to drive. This feature is mainly used in manual transmission vehicles.

Meanwhile, auto-hold prevents the car from moving for several minutes. This feature is more common in vehicles with automatic transmission.

The Benefits Of Having Auto Hold

You might think that having the auto-hold feature in your Sorento will give you a headache, especially if it won't start when you need it. But when you compare user reviews, this feature is worth it.

If you're stuck in traffic, your legs won't get tired by stepping on the brake pad all the time. It might not seem like a big deal if you are not always caught in gridlock. But not having to put your foot on the brake pad when you are at a standstill will mean a world of difference.

However, you don't even have to be stuck in traffic. If you are waiting in line at your favorite drive-thru, you can use auto-hold until it's time to move again.

Another plus factor of the auto-hold is that it stops the car from moving until you disengage. You won't have to worry that your vehicle will move backward on an inclined road.

Finally, if you have precious cargo in your Sorento, this feature is beneficial. You will have peace of mind when you know that the car will not move unless you are ready.

Some owners encountered problems with disengaging the auto hold. But this could be due to inexperience. Probably, through practice and constant utilization, using this feature will come naturally for them.

Additionally, auto-hold does not replace the hand brake. You should still remember to use the hand brake when you leave the car.

What Other Features Of The Kia Sorento Can Help You Drive Easier?

A red colored Kia Sorento trekking on the small river path

The Sorento has a cruise control feature and is very useful for long-distance driving. You can set your car at a uniform speed through an actuator. For newer models, the cruise control works through an electronic system.

For this feature, the driver does not have to step on the accelerator to decrease or increase the speed.

The Idle Stop and Go, or ISG shuts down the car engine when it has stopped. This feature helps reduce fuel use. By default, it is permanently active. But you can deactivate it by pressing the button. You can find the button for ISG on the center console.

You will know when ISG is active when the indicator light is green.

Kia also offers comfort to the passengers. In particular, the passenger's seat has lumbar support. It is also adjustable in 10 different ways. For those driving with children, the parents are assured of safety with the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (or LATCH).

How Long Does A Kia Sorento Last?

A car's odometer displays 2,500,000, or a quarter-million-mile

The Sorento can last up to 200,000 miles or more based on reviews. Generally, this car has about 13 years of good performance. You can expect the Sorento to last longer if you follow the maintenance schedule and give it prompt repair.

In some cases, the Sorento will develop rust around the tailgate area. Rusts usually appear when the car is in its 3rd or 4th year. You can check the warranty to see if the dealer will cover the rust-related repair when this happens.

To Wrap It Up

The Kia Sorento is an SUV that is a good fit for families. It has safety features to help the driver be safe behind the wheel. There are features for your passengers as well. The auto-hold is one helpful feature, especially when driving during traffic.

The car will not move even if the driver removes the foot from the brake when this feature is on. The vehicle runs upon disengagement. The Kia Sorento is also a very reliable car. You can use it for more than a decade, as long as you give it regular maintenance check-ups.

Don't leave yet! Check out our other posts to see how you can take care of your vehicles:

5 Best Coolants for Aluminum Radiators

How Long To Let Oil Drain

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