2018 • VOLUME 21, ISSUE 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
1 2018 Kia Skill National Cup

7 Test Your Tech Times Knowledge: Word Search

2 Techline FAQs

8 Characteristics and Cautions of a Plug-In Hybrid
Electric Vehicle

2 Latest Technical Service Bulletins, Service Actions
and Campaigns
3 New KGIS Enhancements

8 GDS Remains a Valuable Tool

3 Technician Satisfaction Survey Raffle Winners Q4-'17 & Q1-'18

9 Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay Concerns with
iOS 11.x Versions

4 Mass Air Flow vs. Speed Density System on Kia Engines

10 Seat Climate Control System Diagnosis

5 Joe's Corner: Diagnostic Reasoning: Not All DTCs
are Created Equal!
6 Use KVID Application on Existing KDS Tablets

11 2018MY Rio Transportation Power Saver Fuse
11 Word Search Solution

2018 KIA SKILL NATIONAL CUP
Fifteen service technicians from Kia dealerships across the
United States competed in Kia Motors America’s (KMA) 2018
Kia Skill National Cup at the company’s headquarters in Irvine,
California on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
They were assessed on their ability to diagnose and repair five
areas: Electrical, Body Network, Drivability, Engine Mechanical,
and Transmission. The competition tested the technicians’
ability to identify concerns, develop a diagnostic strategy and
use their technical skills and expertise to resolve issues.
Here are the rankings by each KMA Region:
Western Region
1. Tim Carlson, Martin Swanty Kia, Kingman, Arizona
2. Jason Jackson, Jerry Seiner Kia, Salt Lake City, Utah
3. Rick Byrd, Earnhardt Liberty Kia, Prescott Valley, Arizona
Southwest Region
1. Phillip Cole, Midtown Kia, Tulsa, Oklahoma
2. Jim Grannemann, Midtown Kia in Tulsa, Oklahoma
3. Tom Lindquist, Classic Kia of Carrollton, Carrollton, Texas

Southern Region
1. Corey Sloan, Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville, Knoxville, TN
2. Matt Peachey, Sunset Kia of Sarasota, Sarasota, Florida
3. Tommy La Tulipe, Parkside Kia, Knoxville, Tennessee
Congratulations to the top four finalists who will compete in
the 2018 Kia Skill World Cup hosted by Kia Motors Corporation
in Korea April 23-27:
1. Shane Johnson, Sansone Jr.’s 66 Kia
2. Tim Carlson, Martin Swanty Kia
3. Corey Sloan, Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville
4. Jason Jackson, Jerry Seiner Kia

Central Region
1. Max Umbs, Dick Brantmeier Kia, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
2. Kyle Bliss, Fox Kia, Grand Rapids, Michigan
3. Greg Greene, Jeff Wyler Kia, Batavia, Ohio
Eastern Region
1. Shane Johnson, Sansone Jr.’s 66 Kia, Neptune, New Jersey
2. Alan Carmody, Balise Kia, West Springfield, Massachusetts
3. D
avid Cutting, Cape & Islands Kia, South Yarmouth, MA

L-R: Jason Jackson, Corey Sloan, Tim Carlson, Shane Johnson

2

TECH TIMES • Vol 21, No. 1•2018

TECHLINE FAQs

Q

How do I view the E-Reports?

A

Once eReport data from the KDS/GDS device is transferred via wi-fi, it
will be available on the eReport Case List page. With the KDS connected
to wi-fi, push the eReport button on the bottom right of the home
screen: a new window will open displaying the latest VDN information
that has been transferred.

A

You can and must attach a video of the VIN plate and pan to the engine
or exhaust to justify replacement. If it is not smoking, show the spark
plugs which should be coated with white ash from burning oil. If it is
confirmed to be consuming oil, try letting the engine idle for 20 minutes,
then snap the throttle a few times; it should also start to smoke out the
tail pipe. This video documentation is required.

Q

How do I take a video of oil consumption for
SC147?

Q

I am new to Kia and don’t know how to open a
techline case. Can you help me?

A

Go to KGIS homepage and click on “Kia techline” it will take you to the
log in screen (K- Support). Click on the small “help” link in the upper right
corner of the screen. Follow the directions given and you should have no
problem creating a case.

Q

I have a CVVT camshaft position over advanced
code or a crankshaft/camshaft correlation code,
how do I properly test CVVT system?

A

Review Tech Times Volume 20, Issue 1 article on page 17 on CVVT
testing / performance & operation.

Q

I have a wheel speed sensor code, how do I test
them?

A

Review Tech Times article Volume 17, Issue 6 article on page 9 on how to
diagnose a failed wheel speed sensor with the VMI.

LATEST TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, SERVICE ACTIONS AND CAMPAIGNS
PI 1801

Fuel Tank Strap Replacement (05-07MY KM)

SC 153r3

3.3L Lambda Engine Inspection / Replacement (17MY UMa)

SC 147r7

Theta II Engine Inspection and/or Replacement (11-14MY QF/TF, XMa & 11-13MY SL)

ENG 177Cr3

Service Action: 2.4L Engine Start Logic Improvement (SA316Cr3) (18MY UMa)

BOD 182r3

Service Action: Floor Console Inner Panel Inspection & Correction/Replacement (SA328) (18MY JFa)

TRA 059r3

HCU/TCU Upgrade - For 100 Mesh Solenoid Equipped Hybrid Transmissions (11-16MY TFHEV)

ENG 175r3

Service Action: E-CVVT Cover Inspection and Motor Plug Replacement (SA305)
(16-17MY JF, JFa, UMa & 17MY QL)

ELE 145

Head Unit Mismatch With Microphone (14-15MY XMa, YD)

CAUTION
Vehicle servicing performed by untrained persons could
result in damage to the vehicle.

WARNING
• Vehicle servicing performed by untrained persons could
result in injury to those persons or to others.
• Always take proper and necessary safety precautions
when performing any type of service on a vehicle.
• The Kia technician newsletter (Tech Times) is intended
for use by professional Kia automotive technicians only.
It is written to inform technicians of conditions that may
occur on some vehicles. Trained Kia technicians have the
equipment, tools, safety instructions, publications and
expertise to help perform the job correctly.

NOTICE
The topics covered in this newsletter are designed to assist you with the diagnosis
and repair of specific vehicle conditions. Just because a condition is described in this
newsletter, do not assume that it applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have
that condition. In all cases, the procedures in the applicable Service Manual and/or
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual or on KGIS should be performed first.
The information and specifications provided in this document were accurate at the
time of development. Kia reserves the right to discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation.
Copyright © 2018 Kia Motors America, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, stored electronically, or transmitted in any form or
by any means without prior written approval from Kia Motors America, Inc. ("KMA").
KMA reserves the right to make any changes in the descriptions, specifications, or
procedures at any time.

3

TECH TIMES • Vol 21, No. 1•2018

NEW KGIS ENHANCEMENTS
Published by Kia Motors
America, Inc. and produced
by Kia University.
All rights reserved.
Director, Kia University
David Wobst

In order to provide additional information with quick access to Kia service technicians, Kia University is
please to annouce new enhancements to KGIS. These enhancements include the addition of Emergency
Response Guide (ERG) Manuals on the Top Navigation panel that will store all current and future EV,
HEV and PHEV ERGs. Kia Service Support Contacts has been added to Quick Links section along with
Technician Videos added to Quick Links and Enhanced Search section. Also, single engine auto populate
feature that will automatically select engine for vehicles equipped with one engine. Stay on the look out
as more features will be added during the course of the year.

Tech Times Editor
Lewis Thompson
Production Coordinator
Carlos Sicairos
Tech Times Contributors
Dan Algarin
Joe Alt
Brian Betz
Shari Brady
David Brisky
Benny Ishii
Chris Ponce
Chris Risdon
Robert Scholer
Carlos Sicairos
Ray Taylor
Stephen Thomas

Technical Editors
Lewis Thompson
Neem Van der Reest
Engineering Support &
Technical Writer
Neem Van der Reest
Technical Writers
Ken Lopez
Henry Nguyen

TECHNICIAN SATISFACTION SURVEY RAFFLE - 2018 1ST QTR
Greetings Kia Technicians!
The results of the Q4-2017 and Q1-2018 Technician
Satisfaction Survey Raffle were once again very
positive. Kia Techline continues to perform very
well in Q4! We received 5840 survey responses
for Q4 2017 and 4960 responses for Q1 2018.
The overall results for Techline were very positive
with the overall satisfaction rating for Techline at
91.4% using a 5 point scoring system. Selecting
‘Very Dissatisfied’ (bottom) is a rating of 1 where
‘Very Satisfied’ (top) is a rating of 5. As you know,
anything less than ’Very Satisfied’ is viewed
as a failure on our part. We reviewed all of your
responses and gained valuable feedback on
your Techline experiences and use this data to
drive improvement. We will continue to use your
feedback to see how we were doing and how we
can correct any issues that may be occurring in
our ongoing efforts to improve the level of service
we provide to all our dealers. Thank you to all who
participated in the survey. We greatly appreciate all
of your valuable feedback!

The 3 winners of the Q1-2018 raffle are...
Jason Haney–GA008 Kia of Augusta
David Comer–MO029 Cable Dahmer Kia, Lee’s Summit
Jacob Cloy –LA001 Kia of Baton Rouge
Congratulations to all the winners!
The Techline Technician Satisfaction Survey will
continue every quarter of 2018, so please continue
to submit your feedback by completing the survey
when you close your cases and get your chance at
winning 1 of 3 $500 MasterCard gift cards!
In closing, Techline continuously works hard to
provide industry leading technical support to all Kia
dealers in an efficient manner. Here are the latest
performance metrics for Kia Techline.
Web case response time 2018 YTD avg: 14 min.
Phone response time avg: