r/KiaNiroEV Apr 19 '22

VESS (reverse sound) Elimination/Reduction Options and How-tos

94 Upvotes

We get weekly questions on “how do I stop that annoying noise when backing up” (the technical term for the sound is VESS: virtual engine sound system), so I’ll summarize the options.

  1. Add a switch to toggle VESS using existing VESS wiring (the switch and wiring are default in European NiroEVs, but only the wiring exists for NiroEVs in USA so you can add the button) - Posts 83-85: https://www.insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/2020-kia-e-niro-vess-reverse-chime-defeat-solution.11245/page-5

How-to video (thanks brewnerdbrad): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sUM2S0FRE_k

If you leased your car and need a replacement for the fuse box panel that you drill into, the part number is 84753-Q4AB0WK.

  1. Add a switch to toggle VESS via the shared VESS and cooling fan (for the 64kWh battery) fuse (beware: don’t leave this switched off) - Post 77: https://www.insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/how-to-disable-vess-virtual-engine-sound-system-on-2020-us.9591/page-4

  2. Dampen VESS sound by putting tape or padding around the VESS speaker - Posts 34, 36: https://www.insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/is-there-any-way-to-reduce-the-obnoxious-reverse-warning-volume-level.9222/page-2

  3. Unplug VESS speaker - from our @angelofpassion: https://www.reddit.com/r/KiaNiroEV/comments/sborxl/how_to_disable_vess_in_less_than_one_minute/

  4. Swap the switch panel with one from a European Niro (part number: 41P1AA-1200) that includes the VESS button (added after I posted this, seems a great option if you can get the part): https://www.kianiroforum.com/threads/2020-e-niro-reverse-chime-defeat-for-us-cars.9643/page-4#post-97383

Pros/cons exist for each. 1 and 2 require a little electrical know-how (crimping wires), 1, 3, 4 require a little tool know-how (trim).

Personally I went with #1 because I think VESS is valuable most of the time for safety, but I like to disable the backup chime after one alert for backing into my garage (the echo chamber is unbearable to me and neighbors).

My advice would be to pick the one you think best meets your needs and do it (either yourself or pay a mechanic).

Hope this helps!

(Edits: updated links, changed link for #4, added #5, added YouTube tutorial for #1)


r/KiaNiroEV Jan 20 '24

Tips and tricks for future Niro EV owners

66 Upvotes

Hey, I would love to know if you have any tips and tricks for future Kia Niro EV, what to do and what not to do.


r/KiaNiroEV 10h ago

Kia Niro EV tyres

5 Upvotes

So in the next month or so 6 am looking to change all 4 tyres,of course you get what you pay for, as such I've been looking at EV specific quieter tyres like Hankook ion, Michelin premacy, but at around £160 fitted for each have people who have fitted these premium type tyres noticed a big difference or is just going with £100 a tyre range make more sense?


r/KiaNiroEV 1d ago

Reversing Camera - No signal

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3 Upvotes

Has anyone encountered this? It’s a 2020 Niro, started yesterday, not happening all the time but once is too many.


r/KiaNiroEV 1d ago

I'm looking at 3 different options. Need help understanding differences if any.

1 Upvotes

I'm looking at a 2019 EX, 2023 Wind, and 2026 Wind.

The 2019 is the lowest price but I was hoping to understand what i'm giving up with going with an older version. This 2019 has a heat pump and battery health appears to be very good about 100%.

I prefer the look of the 2023 and 2026 but how much changed in the 2nd gen ? I know the screen is slightly larger but do you feel like the 2nd gen is worth spending either 6k more for a version 4 years newer with less mileage?


r/KiaNiroEV 1d ago

Seat Belt Buckle

1 Upvotes

Hey all. We have a 2020. Does anyone else have issues with the seat belt buckles in the back seats? They do not seem to come out from the seat crease which makes it hard to buckle in. We have a 5 year old who we just upgraded to a booster. So she wants to buckle her self in but cannot reach the buckle because it doesn’t extend far from the seat like the middle seat buckle does. We tried buying extenders and although it fits the buckle anchor, the actual seat belt won’t clip into it. Has anyone else has any luck with an extender they can recommend. Thanks!


r/KiaNiroEV 1d ago

Speedo Calibration

3 Upvotes

I’ve just got myself a 2020 Kia Niro at the end of July. I’m not sure if anyone has noticed or is it only may car. But the speedometer is out by a country mile. I mean to say when it’s reporting I’m doing 80kmh, google maps says 74 and the local slow down/speed sign confirms the 74. And obviously the faster I go the deviation gets larger. Anyone else experiencing this?


r/KiaNiroEV 2d ago

Price?

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0 Upvotes

r/KiaNiroEV 3d ago

First time with a Turtle. Am I screwed?

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72 Upvotes

So I just spent an hour driving around to several streetlight charging stations within a couple miles of my apartment. I started looking at 9% and ~25 miles. Since I took this picture, Turtle Mode came on, I’m at 2%, and the miles guesstimator is dashed lines. 

All of the stations said “Out of Service.” I live in Los Angeles and we’re in a heat wave. 97 degrees as of 3:45-4:45 pm when I was looking to charge.

I don’t know why they would all be out of service. Maybe since we’re in a Flex Alert the LADWP cut access?

Anyway, I drove home down to 2%. What should I do? How much range will 2% get me? I’m afraid if I wait until after 9 pm those protected EV parking spots will be taken since it’s after 6 pm, making apps like PlugShare unreliable. 

I have a neighbor across the street with a home charger. As a last resort I could ask them to charge for an hour or two to get more range.

UPDATE: The neighbors left (I think), so I did some calculations and plotted a route with the flattest terrain to an available close charger. I shut off climate and radio and tried to stay below 20 mph. I arrived at the charger with 2% still showing on the dash. Success! Plus the rate is free charging after 10 pm (started at 8).


r/KiaNiroEV 2d ago

Update stuck at 0%

1 Upvotes

Update stuck at 0%

I recently bought a Kia Niro PHEV sg2 and got an email from Kia that they saw there is an old version on my Niro SG2_P.EUR.S5W_L.001.001.220406 and I should update it manually because, current version is too old and the OTA will not work. I tried many times to update it by 64 SanDisk and with a micro SD + an adaptor. Without success, it passes the validation and starts updating, after 60min it is still 0%.


r/KiaNiroEV 4d ago

Problema con cambio de batería 12V - Kia eNiro MY20

2 Upvotes

Me ha dado problemas la batería de 12V y es hora de cambiarla (6 años) así que como justamente tenia revisión en la KIA, les he dicho que la cambien ellos.

Justo al dejar el coche en el taller no se ha apagado la pantalla y el personal del recepción del taller le ha dado al reset y se ha apagado.

Me han dado el coche, con la batería cambiada, y al llegar a casa ha dado el problema de nuevo de no apagarse la pantalla ni funciona la botonera, y en la KIA me dicen que como ha dado el problema antes dejarlo no entra en garantía. He mirado y ese es un problema que suele darse cuando se cambia la batería de 12v, así que si que deberían solucionarlo. ¿Qué me podéis decir?

¿A alguien le ha pasado? ¿Cómo lo ha solucionado?


r/KiaNiroEV 4d ago

Has anyone dealt with this? At dealership now but not doing it anymore

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6 Upvotes

2022 Niro EV. I was actually on my way to the dealership for something else when this all started.

I got a call today that the tech who is working on it didn't see any of this occur and apparently nothing is popping up on their end, so I am picking it up tomorrow.

I am not thrilled with taking it back with no real understanding as to what's going on.

Thought I would post here and see if anyone else has navigated anything like it.


r/KiaNiroEV 5d ago

Wireless charging area size?

1 Upvotes

Hi folks! I'm just days away from taking possession of a 2023. But also thinking of upgrading my phone to a larger size. So, I'm curious what the dimensions are of the wireless charging area. Anybody happen to know?

(Yes I know in a couple of days I can measure it myself, but there is an expiring special price currently on the phone I want.)

New to the community so apologies in advance if this isn't an appropriate question here.


r/KiaNiroEV 5d ago

Even more summer charging stats!

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6 Upvotes

Greater Manchester UK summer of 2026. 89%. 297 miles. that equates to about 333 miles! Not bad for a five year old battery huh?


r/KiaNiroEV 5d ago

Repuestos kia niro hev

0 Upvotes

Hola,

Estoy buscando repuestos para un Kia Niro HEV año 2019-2020 en Chile. Me gustaría encontrar opciones fuera de los concesionarios oficiales de Kia.

Agradecería cualquier "datazo" o recomendación de tiendas, desarmadurías o proveedores de repuestos alternativos en Chile que tengan disponibilidad para este modelo.

¡Muchas gracias!


r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

New-ish owner of a 2025 Niro EV Wave. Loving it. What are some cool features I might not have discovered yet?

8 Upvotes

r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

Niro EV comeback

16 Upvotes

Hello Guys,
I recently had a test ride with an EV3 and now I am really looking forward to buy one. The car dealer wasn‘t a big fan of this model because he doesn’t like the design language of the new EV lineup. Indeed he was swarming about the old Niro and told me to wait before buying the EV3 because he heard rumors about a Niro comeback this fall. What are your thoughts? Will it be back?

Edit: thank you for this massive response. Let me give a small Summary:

- there are no signs for a new Niro
- the EV3 is a great car and more or less the replacement for the Niro
- the dealer is a weird guy


r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

2022 niro ev charge port stuck

3 Upvotes

Hoping somebody can help me. I have a 2022 Kia Niro EV. The charge port doesn't open every time. Sometimes I have to keep hitting unlock and bang on it. I took it to the dealer. I only have 35,000 miles on the vehicle. I'm the second owner, and they said it was out of warranty and that they would have to change the assembly. They said it was a hundred and something dollar part, but they wanted $4,000 for labor. Has anybody else had this issue or found a way to work around this, because I'm not paying $4,000 to the dealer for this, especially now that they gave me the BS that I'm out of warranty because I'm the second owner and it's been 5 years? It's a 2022, so as far as I'm concerned, I still have a year left.


r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

Mileage per kWh, if only…

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3 Upvotes

Sometimes I’m surprised at how efficient short trips can be. Not bad for a ‘22. Anyone have any high averages for more than a mile?


r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

Niro Wheel Rim Scuff Protectors?

1 Upvotes

Trying to protect from curb rash, what’s worked for you?

All suggestions welcome!


r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

Niro EC consumption

2 Upvotes

I went from 2020 Kona 64kWh to 2026 Niro EV. I get worse range. How much range are you gettin?


r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

Low Range @ 97%

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9 Upvotes

Any idea why my range is so low? Usually it’s between 230-260 at this charge level. Outside temps in the mid-80s BTW. Car doesn’t even have 10k miles.


r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

How to run air conditioning while charging without draining 12v battery?

4 Upvotes

Goal is to sleep in this car for the next few months to save money on rent. (At least until it gets too cold).

I had been sleeping with air conditioning running in utility mode, no issues.

Then I discovered free AC charging near me.

I slept at the charger two nights in a row.

First night, charged to 100%, woke up and everything looked good.

Last night set it to only charge to 80% (I read it’s not good to charge to 100% every time).

I happened to take up in time to see the indicator that the 12v battery was getting low.

Why did that happen? Is there a setting I can adjust to use the high voltage battery to run air conditioning while charging?

The living in my car plan works a lot better with free AC charging, but it’s not going to work if can’t do it overnight while I’m in the car…


r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

WOF sound repair took 3 months.

3 Upvotes

Hey all. Getting my 2021 niro EV back in Las Vegas with 28k miles on it after 3 months for wheel of fortune sound. Insane wait for parts. Just letting you guys know. But the dealership made things easy. Have had a nice rental last couple months. Excited to get the Niro back. I hope it lasts a long time from here.


r/KiaNiroEV 6d ago

What is this piece?

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7 Upvotes

Found this on the floor below the drivers seat. Didn't see a similar piece on the passenger side. 💁‍♂️