The KIA EV6’s LKA – Lane Keeping Assist – helps with driving on multilane highways. Depending on your settings (and global region), the system will do either of the following if you drift out of lane:
- Warn you with a steering wheel vibration and noise; or,
- Turn the steering automatically to recenter you in your lane, away from danger.
It uses the front view camera in the top-center behind the windshield. This camera – which functions as the sensor for the LKA – must always be able to see the lane markings. Like any other driver-assist program, it has limitations that can affect its safety and efficiency. See the end of the article for more information.
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Changing the KIA EV6 LKA settings
You can change how your EV6 Lane Keeping Assist software works by going into the settings. Follow these instructions to adjust the warning/assist type.
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Select Vehicle.
- Open Driver Assistance.
- Choose Lane Safety.
- Choose one of the three functions:
- Assist
- Warning only
- Off
When you put LKA into Assist mode, your EV6 will automatically adjust your steering if you leave your lane.
In Warning only, you’ll be alerted to the danger, but the car’s system won’t intervene. You’ll have to steer manually.
If you switch the Lane Keeping Assist off, it does nothing. You’ll be entirely responsible for keeping the car in-lane. You’ll receive no warnings or assistance.
Changing the KIA EV6 LKA warning volume
Go to the following menu to adjust the warning volume:
- Open Settings.
- Choose Vehicle.
- Select Driver Assistance.
- Choose Warning Volume.
- From the menu that opens, select your desired setting:
- High
- Medium
- Low
- Off
Changing this volume might also adjust the sound settings for other driver assists.
Note that selecting off doesn’t turn off the steering wheel vibration (“haptic”) warning. The Hands-off Warning will also still sound at normal volume.
Activating KIA EV6 Lane Keeping Assist
The Lane Keeping Assist button looks like a steering wheel between two lane markings.
In most of the world, you should follow these instructions to activate LKA on the EV6:
- Press and hold the Lane Keeping Assist button.
- You’ll find it on the left-hand side of the steering wheel.
- LKA will immediately turn off if you don’t hold the button long enough.
- The gray Lane Keeping Assist indicator illuminates on the instrument cluster.
- Whenever you restart your EV6, LKA should revert to its last-stored setting (on or off).
However, things are slightly different if you live in Europe, Russia, or Australia.
- Turn your vehicle on. Local regulations mean that Lane Keeping Assist is always automatically on.
- Check it’s on by looking for the gray Lane Keeping Assist indicator.
- This should be in the instrument cluster.
How do you know the KIA EV6 Lane Keeping Assist is working?
The EV6’s Lane Keeping Assist system functions between approximately 40 to 120 mph.
You should always keep your hands on the wheel when driving. If you remove them for too long, you’ll get a Hands-off warning. The following message appears in the instrument cluster:
- Keep hands on steering wheel.
- This is accompanied by staged warnings.
When the LKA is assisting your steering because you’re leaving the lane or road, you’ll notice the following:
- The gray icon turns green.
- The display shows an orange lane line on the side you’ve moved towards.
- The Lane Departure Warning will make a noise/vibrate, depending on your chosen settings.
Once you’ve recentered in your lane, these will return to normal.
When the LKA adjusts your steering, you’ll feel the wheel turning in your hands. You can override the car’s input if needed, but the steering will feel heavy. This is because you’re fighting the Lane Keeping Assist program.
Deactivating KIA EV6 Lane Keeping Assist
Deactivating LKA on the EV6 is the same, no matter where you live.
- Press and hold the Lane Keeping Assist button.
- The gray indicator light should disappear.
Turning LKA off using the button also sets the Lane Safety setting (mentioned earlier) to Off. There will be no warnings (haptic or audible) or steering interventions.
KIA EV6 LKA limitations
Consult your owner’s manual in detail before using the KIA EV6 Lane Keeping Assist feature.
The system can’t always work accurately. It can’t make sudden emergency adjustments and can only see straight ahead. There’s no replacement for general driver awareness.
You might see the following message if the LKA stops working as it should:
- Check Lane Safety system
Ensure LKA is switched off (see above) and head to an authorized KIA dealership.
Lane Keeping Assist might not work in several situations. This list is non-exhaustive – anything could affect it.
- The front camera can’t locate the edges of the lanes. This could be due to windshield damage, modifications, or obscurity. The road markings could also be old, covered, strange colors or patterns, etc.
- You’ll see no lanes on the cluster display.
- The lanes overlap or cross over in a complicated manner, such as roadworks or significant intersections.
- The edge of the lane isn’t marked (such as a concrete barrier, sidewalk, etc.)
- The distance to the car in front is so small that the camera can’t see the road.
- The EV6 has only been turned on for a few seconds.
- And more.
Never rely entirely on the Lane Keeping Assist system. It’s an aid only. Treat it as such.
Check out some more information from the KIA owner’s manual. As always, consult it in detail before doing anything with your EV6.
